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...]
Music feature: Mancini legacy has new home in South Florida
Henry Mancini and friend.(Illustration by Pat Crowley)By Bill MeredithLocation, location, location. It's the well-known rule of real estate, but it also applies to musical institutions of higher learning.Witness the case of the Henry Mancini Institute. Founded by composer/conductor Jack Elliot in 1997 to honor its namesake Grammy-and-Oscar-winning composer (who died in 1994 of … [Read more...]
ArtsPreview 2009-10: The season in jazz
Jazz vocalist Sophie Milman. (Illustration by Pat Crowley) Editor's note: This is one in a series of 10 stories previewing the Palm Beach County and regional arts season for 2009-10.By Bill Meredith As is often the case, the South Florida jazz season for 2009-2010 involves more quality than quantity. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, and the coming season even includes a few … [Read more...]
Music feature: Jazz educators keep the beat alive
Bassist Chuck Bergeron.(Illustration by Pat Crowley) By Bill Meredith"Jazz is not dead," Frank Zappa said in 1973, "it just smells funny."It's documented on the song Be-Bop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen's Church), from the 1974 live album Roxy & Elsewhere. And the master satirist was playing with one of his jazziest ensembles, which included keyboard-and-vocal icon George Duke … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Aug. 21-23
The Boys With the Big Beaks Play All Night, by Suzette Urs. Art: You’d never know that it is still summer, as the local art community appears to be in full swing from Northwood in West Palm Beach to downtown Lake Worth and on south to Boynton Beach.This photomontage by Sue Stevens is offered in an edition of five.At the EG2 Northwood gallery, three “under 30” artists -- Carolyn … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: August 13-16
Womanchild, a sculpture by Armory student Vivian Wang.Art: You can see what the kids got up to at summer camp Friday night when the Armory Art Center showcases the work of 700 of its summer students from kindergarten through high school. Participants in classes such as Adventure in Art and Studio Artshops for Teens produced work including drawing, painting, mixed media, … [Read more...]
Music feature: Jazz DJ keeps the flame alive in WXEL show
Stu Grant, jazz deejay.By Bill MeredithFor someone who isn't a professional musician, jazz deejay Stu Grant sure sounds like he's crafting a restaurant gig set list -- rather than a radio playlist -- for his Jazz Impressions show on WXEL 90.7 FM."I look at the first hour of the show as the dinner hour, and keep it lighter," he says of the weekly Saturday evening broadcast. "As … [Read more...]
Music feature: Nicole Yarling, tireless musical multitasker
Local musical standout Nicole Yarling.By Bill MeredithIn a technology-driven era where practically everyone at least appears to be busy, some people still have resumes that reduce everyone else to slacker status.Like Dr. Billy Taylor, the 87-year-old pianist who played with Charlie Parker and Ben Webster in the 1940s and has been a preeminent jazz educator, TV and radio figure, … [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...]