Imagining Elvis as My Daddy (2010), by Kathy Yancey.Art: Just installed at the Florida Atlantic University Galleries is the third iteration of SouthXeast: Contemporary Southeastern Art, a triennial show of works by artists from Southeastern states. This year’s exhibit, chosen from among more than 200 artists by curators and gallery owners from throughout the … [Read more...]
Music review: Jazz bassist Parrott, trio show creativity, surprise in JAMS show
Jazz bassist and singer Nicki Parrott. (Photo by Mary Jane Photography)By Bill MeredithSinging bassist Nicki Parrott’s trio walked on to the stage at the Harriet Himmel Theater in West Palm Beach on Tuesday while still getting used to dry land.Parrott, Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello and drummer Ed Metz Jr. had just exited a Crystal Cruise line ship earlier in the day … [Read more...]
Music feature: Aussie bassist Parrott masters American jazz
Nicki Parrott, who plays the JAMS seriestomorrow night at CityPlace.(Photo by Mary Jane Photography)By Bill MeredithFor every Jaco Pastorius or Charles Mingus, there are countless jazz bass players who never become household names, so most take up the workmanlike instrument for deeper reasons than attaining celebrity.In the case of Nicki Parrott, it was family.At age … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2010-11: The season in jazz
Chris Botti. (Illustration by Pat Crowley)By Bill MeredithSouth Florida's creative jazz concert calendar is always a case of feast or famine, and there's usually more of a feast south of Palm Beach County.That's partly because there's a stronger jazz nightclub presence in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami areas than on the practically nonexistent West Palm Beach scene. And … [Read more...]
Music feature: Tom Scott, saxman of legend
Saxophonist Tom Scott plays, composes and arranges.By Bill MeredithMost musical artists have lists of their recording credits. Saxophonist Tom Scott, on the other hand, requires a scroll.Over the course of 45 years and more than 500 credits, the multi-reed player has worked with musical icons ranging from Thelonious Monk and Gerry Mulligan to Joni Mitchell and Aretha Franklin … [Read more...]
Music review: Sax legend Scott shows off rich catalog in Himmel show
Saxophonist Tom Scott.By Bill MeredithVeteran saxophonist Tom Scott has what amounts to a nice problem when he puts together set lists for his concerts. With 29 solo albums and more than 500 recording sessions, plus a vast array of compositions for TV and film, he has way more than enough material to choose from."I have most of it on my computer, so it's pretty easy to run down … [Read more...]
Arts feature: Susan Merritt, South Florida’s first lady of jazz
Susan Merritt, jazz impresaria. (Illustration by Pat Crowley) By Bill MeredithWEST PALM BEACH -- A strange thing happened to bassist and North Carolina native Susan Merritt when she came south for a gig in 1982 -- her working vacation turned into a relocation.And that eventually transformed her into a Floridian, jazz musician, club owner, and president of the non-profit Jazz … [Read more...]