Jazz Avenues
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by Steve Monroe
“Through his interviews with artists performing in town, [Felix] Grant introduced me to the D.C. jazz scene. I was soon hanging out at the Bohemian Caverns at Eleventh and U streets, NW, where I caught performances by John Coltrane and Miles Davis. I was at the Caverns when Ramsey Lewis recorded “The In Crowd,” which became a big hit in 1965.” --WPFW-FM producer and programmer Rusty Hassan, from “Jazz Radio in Washington,” in Jazz in Washington/Washington History, a publication of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., Spring 2014.
“Radio is still the best way to discover jazz” Black History Month brings to mind the awesome contribution made by radio broadcasters over the years to the jazz fabric of our area, from Felix Grant to Paul Anthony, Yale Lewis, Nap Turner, Jerry Washington, Ron Sutton, Faunee, Whitmore John, Candy Shannon, Gwen Redding to Askia Muhammad, Bob Daughtry, Hodari Ali, Jamal Muhammad, Tom Cole, Ellen Carter, Keanna Faircloth, Tim Masters, Bobby Hill, Rusty Hassan and Willard Jenkins, Katea Stitt, Miyuki and many, many more. Hassan’s article in the 2014 Historical Society of Washington edition “Jazz in Washington” provides a fascinating look at a slice of the broadcasting history of the music, on stations including WMAL, WRC, WAMU, WGTB, WDCU and of course WPFW. “In 1976 I participated in getting a new station on the air,” said Hassan, “as part of the Pacifica Network that would play jazz, blues, and world music. But in February 1977 when Von Martin played “Take the ‘A’ Train” to open the WPFW-FM signal to the Washington airwaves, I opted to keep The New Thing Root Music Show on WAMU. I thought that jazz should be
played on as many stations as possible.” Hassan says of the 1970s, “This strength of jazz programming on the air reflected the vibrant scene for performances in Washington. Major artists came through DC to play in clubs such as Blues Alley in Georgetown, Harold’s Rogue and Jar … Pigfoot and Moore’s Love and Peace … and the One Step Down … Musicians who came by the WAMU studios on a Sunday Afternoon to be interviewed on my show include Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Dexter Gordon, Eddie Jefferson, and Sun Ra.” But, of today’s environment, Hassan said, “How people listen to music has changed dramatically. Downloads to IPods are convenient, but background and appreciation for the music is lacking. An informed announcer on the radio provides the names of the soloists and tells stories about the music … Washington, DC is fortunate to have WPFW still broadcasting the music with knowledgeable programmers … Radio is still the best way to discover jazz.” Thank you, Rusty and friends!
Mid-Atlantic Jazz 2016 The 7th annual Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Feb. 12-14 at the Hilton in Rockville brings Terence Blanchard, Poncho Sanchez, Curt Elling, Louis Hayes, Poncho Sanchez, Eric Byrd, Terell Stafford, Dave Stryker, Sharon Clark, Chad Carter, James Zimmerman, Coniece Washington, Tom Newman, Cyrille Aimee, Joey Calderazzo, Anthony Compton, Wes Biles, Paul Carr’s Jazz Academy Orchestra, along with high school band and voice competitions, eclectic vendors and much more. Organizer Carr says the theme of this year’s festival is “Directly from the Source.” When asked about the task of putting on a yearly festival in addition to his own performing, recording and teaching roles, Carr says, “Out of my love for teaching, I saw the need for informed jazz presenting. Now all three feed off themselves to create something I hope people will like and support. Also, I have an awesome two person staff and awesome volunteers that help make MAJF happen. So yes, it’s a 24 hour a day job … but I love it, most times. LOL!” See www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org for complete information.
The Michael Thomas Quintet performs Feb. 19 at Bohemian Caverns. Photo: Michael Thomas
February Highlights: … Tony Martucci, Feb. 6-7, Twins Jazz … Dick Smith, Marshall Keys w/Chris Grasso Trio, Feb. 7, Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club … Marty Nau, Feb. 10, Twins Jazz … Karen Lovejoy, Feb. 12, Inwood House/Silver Spring … A Jolley Family Tribute, Feb. 12, Westminster Presbyterian Church … Integriti Reeves, Feb. 13, Bohemian Caverns … Christie Dashiell, Feb. 18, Bohemian Caverns … D.C. International Trombone, Feb. 19, Westminster … Twins Jazz Orchestra, Feb. 19, Twins Jazz … Michael Thomas Quintet, Feb. 19, Bohemian Caverns … Joe Lovano Village Rhythms Band, Feb. 19-20, Kennedy Center … Brian Settles, Feb. 20, Bohemian Caverns … Jordan Dixon, Feb. 26, Twins Jazz … Tribute to Gloria Lynne/Sandra Johnson, Feb. 26, Westminster … Thinking About Jazz/Gloria Lynne, Feb. 27, Westminster … Akua Allrich, Feb. 27, Bohemian Caverns …Cheyney Thomas, Feb. 27-28, Twins Jazz … February Birthdays: James P. Johnson, Joshua Redman 1; Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz 2; Eubie Blake 7; Chick Webb 10; Machito 16; Stan Kenton, David Murray 19; Nancy Wilson 20; Tadd Dameron 21; James Moody 26; Mildred Bailey, Dexter Gordon 27. Steve Monroe is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at steve@jazzavenues.com or @jazzavenues. u
East of the River Magazine February 2016
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