JAM: October/November 2005 Issue: Folly Jazz News

by Doug Tatum

On Saturday, October 1, the Folly Theater will present Marilyn Maye - Her Way: A Tribute to Sinatra. F or this engagement, Marilyn will be backed up by pianist Billy Stritch, drummer Jim Eklof, bassist Gerald Spaits, and guitarist Rod Fleeman. About Marilyn Maye, the noted jazz writer Gene Lees stated “She has an exquisite sense of phrasing, breath control that makes her singing sound seamless, impeccable time, a huge range without any break of color or character, astonishing dynamics… unfaltering musicianship, total control of her vibrato, and the kind of intonation that makes your eyebrows levitate.” Not too bad for a “local girl,” eh?

Trombonist Steve Turre will appear with his Quartet on Friday, October 28. Over the past 20 years, Turre has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls in JazzTimes , Downbeat , and Jazziz for Best Trombone. Since 1984, Steve Turre has been seen and heard by millions every week as the trombonist in the “Saturday Night Live” band. While that job is a great paying gig, Turre is in fact an extremely dedicated and gifted jazz musician who has continually evolved throughout his career.

About Turre, JazzTimes stated, “Not only is he the finest trombone man since J.J. Johnson, Benny Powell and Curtis Fuller, he's a deep composer and uncanny arranger.”

Turre was born to Mexican-American parents and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues, and jazz. While attending Sacramento State University , he joined the Escovedo Brothers salsa band, which began his career-long involvement with that genre. In 1972 Steve Turre's career picked up momentum when Ray Charles hired him to go on tour. A year later Steve's mentor Woody Shaw brought him into Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

After his tenure with Blakey, Turre went on to work with a diverse list of musicians from the jazz, Latin, and pop worlds, including Shaw, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Lester Bowie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, Max Roach, Cassandra Wilson, Randy Brecker, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

It was Kirk who introduced Steve to the seashell as an instrument. Soon after that, while touring in Mexico City with Woody Shaw, Turre's relatives informed him that his ancestors similarly played the shells. Since then, he has incorporated seashells into his diverse musical style. This journey of discovery involving the shells was the subject of a television feature about Turre several years ago on “CBS Sunday Morning”, moderated by Dr. Billy Taylor. As I recall, the film footage included a shot of Steve visiting an ancient site and gazing upon a stone carving that depicted a man blowing through a conch shell. For Turre, this was a transcendant experience that truly connected him to his ancestral roots. Anyone who has heard Turre playing real music on the shells knows that this is not a gimmick, but rather, is at the heart and soul of the artist's unique musical vision. I can personally attest to the primal power of Steve Turre's work with the shells; the first time I witnessed it live, it made the hairs of my neck stand up. For me, the feeling and power of the music was truly indescribable.

Drawing upon jazz, Afro-Cuban, Mexican and South American sources for inspiration, Turre's various ensembles provide a setting based in tradition, while allowing him to stretch the limits conceptually and stylistically. When it comes to his distinct brand of jazz, Steve Turre always keeps one foot in the past and one in the future. To learn more, visit Steve's website: www.steveturre.com .

Highlights of the remaining Folly Jazz Series include the Lee Konitz/Bill Frisell Quartet in February, the Regina Carter Quintet in March and Chick Corea in a rare solo piano appearance in April. Discounted season subscriptions are still available, and single ticket prices range from $15-$35. Members of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors are eligible for special discounts. For more information or to request a flier, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444 or visit our website: www.follytheater.com.

Doug Tatum is Executive Director of The Folly Theater.






	Search our site:		by Doug Tatum On Saturday, October 1, the Folly Theater will present *Marilyn Maye - Her Way: A Tribute to Sinatra.* F or this engagement, Marilyn will be backed up by pianist Billy Stritch, drummer Jim Eklof, bassist Gerald Spaits, and guitarist Rod Fleeman. About Marilyn Maye, the noted jazz writer Gene Lees stated “She has an exquisite sense of phrasing, breath control that makes her singing sound seamless, impeccable time, a huge range without any break of color or character, astonishing dynamics… unfaltering musicianship, total control of her vibrato, and the kind of intonation that makes your eyebrows levitate.” Not too bad for a “local girl,” eh? Trombonist Steve Turre** will appear with his Quartet on Friday, October 28. Over the past 20 years, Turre has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls in JazzTimes , Downbeat , and Jazziz for Best Trombone. Since 1984, Steve Turre has been seen and heard by millions every week as the trombonist in the “Saturday Night Live” band. While that job is a great paying gig, Turre is in fact an extremely dedicated and gifted jazz musician who has continually evolved throughout his career. About Turre, JazzTimes stated, “Not only is he the finest trombone man since J.J. Johnson, Benny Powell and Curtis Fuller, he's a deep composer and uncanny arranger.” Turre was born to Mexican-American parents and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues, and jazz. While attending Sacramento State University , he joined the Escovedo Brothers salsa band, which began his career-long involvement with that genre. In 1972 Steve Turre's career picked up momentum when Ray Charles hired him to go on tour. A year later Steve's mentor Woody Shaw brought him into Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. After his tenure with Blakey, Turre went on to work with a diverse list of musicians from the jazz, Latin, and pop worlds, including Shaw, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Lester Bowie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, Max Roach, Cassandra Wilson, Randy Brecker, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. It was Kirk who introduced Steve to the seashell as an instrument. Soon after that, while touring in Mexico City with Woody Shaw, Turre's relatives informed him that his ancestors similarly played the shells. Since then, he has incorporated seashells into his diverse musical style. This journey of discovery involving the shells was the subject of a television feature about Turre several years ago on “CBS Sunday Morning”, moderated by Dr. Billy Taylor. As I recall, the film footage included a shot of Steve visiting an ancient site and gazing upon a stone carving that depicted a man blowing through a conch shell. For Turre, this was a transcendant experience that truly connected him to his ancestral roots. Anyone who has heard Turre playing real music on the shells knows that this is not a gimmick, but rather, is at the heart and soul of the artist's unique musical vision. I can personally attest to the primal power of Steve Turre's work with the shells; the first time I witnessed it live, it made the hairs of my neck stand up. For me, the feeling and power of the music was truly indescribable. Drawing upon jazz, Afro-Cuban, Mexican and South American sources for inspiration, Turre's various ensembles provide a setting based in tradition, while allowing him to stretch the limits conceptually and stylistically. When it comes to his distinct brand of jazz, Steve Turre always keeps one foot in the past and one in the future. To learn more, visit Steve's website: www.steveturre.com . Highlights of the remaining Folly Jazz Series include the Lee Konitz/Bill Frisell Quartet in February, the Regina Carter Quintet in March and Chick Corea in a rare solo piano appearance in April. Discounted season subscriptions are still available, and single ticket prices range from $15-$35. Members of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors are eligible for special discounts. For more information or to request a flier, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444 or visit our website: www.follytheater.com. Doug Tatum is Executive Director of The Folly Theater. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.