THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER IAN CAREY / BEN STOLOROW - DUOCRACY

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IAN CAREY / BEN STOLOROW - DUOCRACY Posted: 22 Jan 2014 01:26 PM PST In the musical realm of Duocracy, the new CD by trumpeter Ian Carey and pianist Ben Stolorow, "two" rules. Mainstays on the Bay Area jazz scene, Carey and Stolorow have released highly regarded albums as leaders but found their way to the duo format after several satisfying gigs together last year. They chose to capture their singular improvisational ensemble on record, and Carey's Kabocha label will release the inventive results as Duocracy on February 25. "It's super-naked and that was intimidating at first, especially once the tape started rolling, but it's also really freeing. On my last album I felt like I was trying to build something perfect," Carey says referring to Roads & Codes, an album selected by many critics as one of 2013's best releases. "This was about going in and enjoying playing with each other, about playing jazz and seeing what we could come up with, and letting these tunes shine." Carey credits a satellite radio station focusing on recordings from the 1940s with reigniting his love for vintage pop tunes. Struck by the effortless swing that was the era's rhythmic default, he and Stolorow decided to keep the duo loose and limber, unencumbered by involved arrangements. Ian Carey Ben Stolorow Opening with Walter Donaldson's lilting "Little White Lies," the pair also includes Rodgers and Hart's "You Took Advantage of Me," a piece that showcases Stolorow's gift for melodic invention, and Henry Mancini's "Two for the Road," a standout Latin-tinged ballad performance that highlights Carey's gorgeous tone. They co-wrote the album's sole original, "Comin' Along," an abstract tune built upon the chord changes of Benny Golson's standard "Along Came Betty." Closing with a pair of enduring standards, the Gershwins' jaunty "How Long Has This Been Going On," and Kern's masterpiece "All the Things You Are," the duo departs in a blaze of beauty, refreshing the ubiquitous songs with unfussy eloquence. "We're drawn to a lot of the same repertoire, lovely mid-century well-crafted pop tunes," Carey says. "What makes working with Ben so satisfying he is very into the idea of breaking out of traditional duo roles. There's a lot left to discover." Duocracy is the fourth album for Ian Carey, 39, who previously has written for and recorded his audacious, highly cohesive working quintet on Sink/Swim (2005), Contextualizin' (2010), and Roads & Codes (2013). The Binghamton, New York native earned a New School degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music and spent five post-grad years in New York City before relocating to San Francisco, where he has performed with top-notch ensembles like the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, multi-instrumentalist Adam Theis's Realistic Orchestra, accordionist Rob Reich's Circus Bella, and vocalist Betty Fu, which is how he started playing with Stolorow. Ben Stolorow, 37, was born in New York City but had settled in Los Angeles by the age of 12. In 1994 he moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, studying piano with Bill Bell, Susan Muscarella, and Dick Hindman and before long joining the Jazzschool faculty. His 2008 debut album I'll Be Over Here, is a highly interactive trio session focusing on his lustrous originals with bassist Ravi Abcarian and drummer Greg German. On his 2011 followup with bassist Dan Feiszli and drummer Jon Arkin, Almost There, Stolorow deals more explicitly with song forms. The partnership with Carey grew out of their accompanying Betty Fu, and was fed by their camaraderie on and off the bandstand. When Carey moved to the East Bay, just a few miles north of Stolorow, proximity allowed them to start playing together informally, which led to several gigs at an art space in Berkeley. "It was really successful," says Stolorow. "I had this idea to record to see what happens, and Ian felt, if not now, when?" The duo will celebrate the release of Duocracy with concerts at the Jazzschool in Berkeley on Friday 2/21 and at St. Hilary's in Tiburon on Friday 3/7. iancareyjazz.com benstolorow.com

NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP INCLUDES BOBBY MCFERRIN, TROMBONE SHORTY, GREGORY PORTER, DAVID SANBORN, ROBERT GLASPER AND MANY OTHERS Posted: 22 Jan 2014 05:54 AM PST Bobby McFerrin Fulfilling the mission of the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™, the 60th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival®, now presented by Natixis Global Asset Management, will present three full days of music - with an entire day dedicated to emerging artists - that give an exciting look at the future of jazz, including more than 40 performances by some of the world's greatest established and emerging jazz artists, it was announced George Wein. Set for August 1 - 3, 2014, the Festival will feature the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin spirityouall, Trombone Shorty, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Robert Glasper, Dr. John, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Gary Burton, Gregory Porter, Jon Batiste, Dave Holland, John Zorn, Miguel Zenón, The Cookers, Snarky Puppy and more.  "We are thrilled to open the Festival on Friday with an entire day of musicians who have emerged on the scene with distinctive stories to tell through their music," said Wein, who has produced the Festival since its beginning in 1954. "We're not just selling these artists, we might be selling the future of jazz. In fact, the only reason for me to be in the Festival business at this point in my life is because these musicians and others must be heard," added Wein, now 88.    In addition, the Newport Jazz Festival will present a symposium at Fort Adams State Park. Curated by New York Times critic Nate Chinen, the symposium will discuss how jazz relates to popular culture in today's society, compared to when the festival began in 1954. It will feature internationally-known jazz aficionados and historians, including Henry Louis Gates.    Wynton Marsalis Also, the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino will host the annual Friday evening concert, this year featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Dee Dee Bridgewater with a salute to Billie Holiday. Festival-goers can play an additional role in helping to secure the future of jazz by supporting Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.™ at its annual fundraising gala at the famed Vanderbilt summer cottage, The Breakers, including an appearance by Marsalis and other Festival artists.  The Newport Festivals Foundation is also proud to introduce THE Jazz Club, a special experience offered on Saturday and Sunday at Fort Adams. The option includes special seating, reserved parking, tented lounge access, upgraded restroom facilities and a 60th anniversary poster.    The complete line-up for the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management is as follows: Friday, August 1, 2014 Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Dee Dee Bridgewater - To Billie with Love Jon Batiste & Stay Human John Zorn's Masada Marathon: Dave Douglas, Marc Ribot, Cyro Baptista, Mark Feldman,  Erik Friedlander, Ikue Mori, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron, Kenny Wollesen & many others Miguel Zenón Big Band Darcy James Argue's Secret Society Snarky Puppy Cécile McLorin Salvant Rudresh Mahanthappa - Charlie Parker Project, A World Premier Amir ElSaffar Quintet with Ole Mathisen, John Escreet, Francois Moutin & Dan Weiss Mostly Other People Do The Killing: Steve Bernstein, Jon Irabagon, Dave Taylor, Brandon Seabrook, Ron Stabinsky, Moppa Elliott & Kevin Shea Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors University of Rhode Island Newport Jazz Big Band Saturday, August 2, 2014 Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Dave Holland Prism with Kevin Eubanks, Craig Taborn & Eric Harland Gregory Porter Robert Glasper Experiment SF Jazz Collective: Miguel Zenón, Avishai Cohen, David Sanchez, Robin Eubanks, Warren Wolf, Edward Simon, Matt Penman & Obed Calvaire Cécile McLorin Salvant Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band with Jon Cowherd, Chris Thomas, Melvin Butler & Myron Walden Pedrito Martinez Group featuring Ariacne Trujillo with Alvaro Benavides & Jhaire Sala Dick Hyman, Howard Alden & Jay Leonhart Kurt Rosenwinkel New Quartet Newport Now 60 Band: Anat Cohen, Karrin Allyson, Randy Brecker, Mark Whitfield, Peter Martin, Larry Grenadier & Clarence Penn Umbria Jazz presents Stefano Bollani & Hamilton de Holanda Symposium on Jazz And More ... Sunday, August 3, 2014  Bobby McFerrin spirityouall David Sanborn & Joey DeFrancesco with Billy Hart & Warren Wolf Dr. John & The Nite Trippers Gary Burton New Quartet with Julian Lage, Scott Colley & Marcus Gilmore Vijay Iyer Sextet with Graham Haynes, Mark Shim, Steve Lehman, Stephan Crump & Marcus Gilmore Danilo Perez Panama 500 with Ben Street, Adam Cruz & Roman Diaz Django Festival All-Stars featuring Samson Schmitt, Ludovic Beier, Pierre Blanchard, DouDou Cuillerier & Brian Torff Ron Carter Trio with Russell Malone & Donald Vega Lee Konitz Quartet with special guest Grace Kelly Ravi Coltrane The Cookers: Gary Bartz, Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, George Cables, Cecil McBee & Billy Hart Mingus Big Band The Brubeck Brothers George Wein & Newport All-Stars with Anat Cohen, Howard Alden, Randy Brecker, Lew Tabackin, Jay Leonhart & Lewis Nash And More ...