UMaine Events for Jazz Appreciation Month

Jazz Appreciation Month, 2010 (so designated by the IAJE nearly 5 years ago) gets underway in April. Here is a listing of the events involving UMaine groups/people:

Sa, 4/3: Jazz concert by THE LIDRAL DUO in the lecture hall in the Bangor Public Library, 2 pm;

M, 4/5: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #10, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm;

Th, 4/8: A detachment of the UMAINE CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE will present a concert in the Story Room in the Bangor Public Library from 6:30-7:30 pm;

Sa, 4/10: Showing of the jazz film, COUNT BASIE JAM '75 at the Bangor Public Library (this is from the Norman Granz' JAZZ IN MONTREUX series of DVDs), 2 pm, in the lecture hall. Following the approximately 1-hour film will be a brief discussion co-led by Dr. Karel Lidral and Dr. Jay Bregman;

M, 4/12: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #11, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm;

M, 4/19: UMAINE CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE concert, 8:30-9:15 am (yes, am!), Hutchins Hall in the CCA on the UMaine campus;

M, 4/19: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #12, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm;

W 4/21: UMAINE CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE concert, 11 am-noon, in Union Central in the Memorial Union;

Th, 4/22: UMAINE JAZZ ENSEMBLE concert, Minsky Recital Hall in the Class of 1944 Hall, 7:30 pm;

M, 4/26: CHAMBER JAZZ AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES #13, featuring the Lidral Duo, in Union Central in the Memorial Union, 4:15-5 pm; and

W, 4/28: Jazz concert by THE LIDRAL DUO in the Bangor Public Library as part of the 8th annual POETS/SPEAK, 4:45-5:15.

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 29 March 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the ninth in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (March 29th, 2010), from 4:15-5 pm in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace) at the University of Maine, Orono, ME.  Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 15 March 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the seventh in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (March 15th, 2010), from 4:15-5 pm in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace) at the University of Maine, Orono, ME. (Don't forget to set your clocks an hour ahead on Sunday!)

Now in their 22nd season, this is theirr 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Memorial Union.

Lidral Duo in the Memorial Union - 8 February 2010

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the fourth in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (February 8th, 2010), from 4:15-5 pm in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central at the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace), University of Maine, Orono, ME.

Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

Lidral Duo Live - 25 January 2009

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the second in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday, 25 January, 2010, from 4:15-5:00 PM in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace) at the University of Maine, Orono, ME.
Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

Lidral Duo is Back - 11 January 2009

The Lidral Duo (Karel, soprano saxophone; Terry, piano -- the original Chamber Jazz Ensemble, by the way!) will be presenting the first in their series of concerts entitled the "Chamber Jazz Afternoon Concert Series" this coming Monday (11 January 2010), from 4:15-5 PM in the "Jazz Corner" of Union Central in the Memorial Union (beneath the jazz poster by the fireplace) at the University of Maine, Orono, ME.  Now in their 22nd season, this is their 11th continuous semester-long concert series in the Union.

Jody Sandhaus
Afterglow


Grade - A


Jody Sandhaus is a vocalist deserving of much more fanfare than she is currently receiving.  Hopefully, the release of her newest album, Afterglow, will rectify this.  Afterglow is a recording of eleven duets for piano and voice with pianist Pete Malinverni and is Sandhaus' strongest recording yet.

Sandhaus has a beautiful voice, managing to balance subtle vocal nuances while still maintaining her pitch.  She never resorts to oversinging and lets the melody carry the heavy weight of the song.  Her vocal style is ideal for this set of songs, which for the most part are melancholy, dealing with the trials of romance.  I need to stress that Sandhaus is a skilled technician and is able to evoke different moods as required by the lyrics.  I especially enjoyed the husky raspiness of her voice on "Love Is a Necessary Evil", a vocal quality I did not recall hearing her use on her two prior albums, I Think of You and A Fine Spring Morning.

Pete Malinverni's playing is outstanding and the interplay between these two musicians demonstrate a great amount of trust.  Malinverni somehow manages to maintain a distinct style while going through stylistic changes like a musical chameleon.  I love the intimacy that these two impart to the songs - an intimacy that makes Afterglow sound like it was recorded for each listener, personally.

I am also impressed by the fact that Sandhaus and Malinverni took a risk by recording songs that are lesser-known than the standard American songbook fare.  While risky it makes Afterglow a fresh listening experience.

If you are already familiar with Jody Sandhaus, then purchase this album immediately, you won't be disappointed.  If you have yet to hear Ms. Sandhaus, then I recommend that you sample some of the songs on Afterglow.  If you do I have a feeling you will soon own this fantastic recording.

Check out more on Jody Sandhaus and Afterglow at www.jodysandhaus.com.