JAM: February/March 2005 Issue: Folly Jazz News

by Doug Tatum

Ann Hampton Callaway, Dr. John at the Folly

The next concert of the Folly Jazz Series will feature acclaimed singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway on Saturday, February 26. The theme of Ann's Folly concert will be “To Ella With Love,” which is also the title of a CD Ann recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Christian McBride, and Lewis Nash as a tribute to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. An earlier CD, “Easy Living” (After 9), features pianists Kenny Barron, Benny Green, and Bill Charlap with guest artists Wynton Marsalis and Nelson Rangel. Ann's other recordings include “Signature” (N-Coded), “After Ours” (Denon), and “Bring Back Romance” (DRG).

Callaway has appeared as special guest artist with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra on the American Popular Standard Series at Lincoln Center. She also appeared as special guest artist in a nationally televised performance with the Boston Pops Orchestra and was a featured guest artist at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Orchestra.

Ann recently starred in “Midnight Swing” for the PBS television special “Live From Lincoln Center.” Her performances have been heard on numerous other national television shows such as “The Today Show,” “The Charlie Rose Show,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Larry King Live,” and “Charles Grodin,” with other appearances on “ABC News,” the BBC, and CNN. Ann received a Tony Award nomination for “Best Featured Actress in a Musical” for her work in the Broadway musical hit “Swing!” and won the Theater World Award for “Outstanding Broadway Debut.” She is the winner of ASCAP's “Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award.”

The Cole Porter Estate officially recognizes Ann Hampton Callaway as the only composer to have collaborated with Cole Porter, having set her music to his posthumously discovered lyric, “Gaze in Your Eyes,” recorded for the Ben Bagley “Cole Porter Revisited” series. While continuing her performances in jazz and concert venues nationally and internationally, she is also working on several songwriting projects for film and Broadway. Ann can be heard daily on her own radio show on the Sirius Satellite Network.

The one and only Dr. John will be displaying his jazz roots as he takes to the Folly stage on Saturday, March 12. Universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage of New Orleans, Dr. John proudly stands alongside Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino as one of that city's all-time distinctive voices. Dr. John is truly a Crescent City original with his “gumbo” mix of jazz, blues, rock, and “voodoo-funk.” His piano and vocals draw inspiration from a broad musical spectrum that includes Duke Ellington, Big Joe Turner, Pete Johnson, and Professor Longhair.

Born in New Orleans on November 21, 1940, as Malcolm Rebennack, Dr. John began playing the piano at the age of six. His first record date as a musician was at 14, coinciding with his job at Ace Records as the world's youngest A & R man. This early experience brought him countless sessions with the likes of Shirley and Lee, Joe Tex, Frankie Ford, and his personal mentor, Professor Longhair.

He left New Orleans for California in 1962 to begin a lucrative career as an LA session musician, working with artists that included Sonny and Cher, Frank Zappa, and Phil Spector. Rebennack received his official launch as a pop star in 1968 with “Gris-Gris” released under his unique stage name of Dr. John Creaux, aka “the Night Tripper.” The album caught the attention of a wide audience.

With his recording “Gumbo,” Mac Rebennack embraced his past as a New Orleans R&B artist. Vastly praised by critics, “Gumbo” featured Dr. John playing the music he loved best, covering songs popularized by Huey “Piano” Smith, Professor Longhair, Ray Charles, and Earl King. He could also be found working and recording with talents such as Allan Toussaint, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, The Meters, John Paul Hammond, and Bob Dylan. Dr. John's concert at the Folly is sure to be a lively mix of jazz, blues, funk Creole, and everything in between!

The last concert of this season's Folly Jazz Series will feature the Russell Malone Quartet on Friday, April 15. For each of the concerts, single tickets start at $15. For more information, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444 or visit our Web site: www.follytheater.com.






	Search our site:		by Doug Tatum Ann Hampton Callaway, Dr. John at the Folly The next concert of the Folly Jazz Series will feature acclaimed singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway on Saturday, February 26. The theme of Ann's Folly concert will be “To Ella With Love,” which is also the title of a CD Ann recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Christian McBride, and Lewis Nash as a tribute to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. An earlier CD, “Easy Living” (After 9), features pianists Kenny Barron, Benny Green, and Bill Charlap with guest artists Wynton Marsalis and Nelson Rangel. Ann's other recordings include “Signature” (N-Coded), “After Ours” (Denon), and “Bring Back Romance” (DRG). Callaway has appeared as special guest artist with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra on the American Popular Standard Series at Lincoln Center. She also appeared as special guest artist in a nationally televised performance with the Boston Pops Orchestra and was a featured guest artist at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Orchestra. Ann recently starred in “Midnight Swing” for the PBS television special “Live From Lincoln Center.” Her performances have been heard on numerous other national television shows such as “The Today Show,” “The Charlie Rose Show,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Larry King Live,” and “Charles Grodin,” with other appearances on “ABC News,” the BBC, and CNN. Ann received a Tony Award nomination for “Best Featured Actress in a Musical” for her work in the Broadway musical hit “Swing!” and won the Theater World Award for “Outstanding Broadway Debut.” She is the winner of ASCAP's “Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award.” The Cole Porter Estate officially recognizes Ann Hampton Callaway as the only composer to have collaborated with Cole Porter, having set her music to his posthumously discovered lyric, “Gaze in Your Eyes,” recorded for the Ben Bagley “Cole Porter Revisited” series. While continuing her performances in jazz and concert venues nationally and internationally, she is also working on several songwriting projects for film and Broadway. Ann can be heard daily on her own radio show on the Sirius Satellite Network. The one and only Dr. John will be displaying his jazz roots as he takes to the Folly stage on Saturday, March 12. Universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage of New Orleans, Dr. John proudly stands alongside Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino as one of that city's all-time distinctive voices. Dr. John is truly a Crescent City original with his “gumbo” mix of jazz, blues, rock, and “voodoo-funk.” His piano and vocals draw inspiration from a broad musical spectrum that includes Duke Ellington, Big Joe Turner, Pete Johnson, and Professor Longhair. Born in New Orleans on November 21, 1940, as Malcolm Rebennack, Dr. John began playing the piano at the age of six. His first record date as a musician was at 14, coinciding with his job at Ace Records as the world's youngest A & R man. This early experience brought him countless sessions with the likes of Shirley and Lee, Joe Tex, Frankie Ford, and his personal mentor, Professor Longhair. He left New Orleans for California in 1962 to begin a lucrative career as an LA session musician, working with artists that included Sonny and Cher, Frank Zappa, and Phil Spector. Rebennack received his official launch as a pop star in 1968 with “Gris-Gris” released under his unique stage name of Dr. John Creaux, aka “the Night Tripper.” The album caught the attention of a wide audience. With his recording “Gumbo,” Mac Rebennack embraced his past as a New Orleans R&B artist. Vastly praised by critics, “Gumbo” featured Dr. John playing the music he loved best, covering songs popularized by Huey “Piano” Smith, Professor Longhair, Ray Charles, and Earl King. He could also be found working and recording with talents such as Allan Toussaint, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, The Meters, John Paul Hammond, and Bob Dylan. Dr. John's concert at the Folly is sure to be a lively mix of jazz, blues, funk Creole, and everything in between! The last concert of this season's Folly Jazz Series will feature the Russell Malone Quartet on Friday, April 15. For each of the concerts, single tickets start at $15. For more information, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444 or visit our Web site: www.follytheater.com. -- Doug Tatum Executive Director, Folly Theater RETURN TO FEBURARY/MARCH 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.