ReOpening of St. Barbara's Church, Cleveland, Ohio

Sunday, July 22

Doris Long "Long Overdue" 2012

            Doris Long has been singing jazz and standards around town since 1963. She has performed with a who’s who of the local music scene, with long running stints at such great places out of the past as Sammy’s and the Theatrical. It is amazing she has never put out a solo recording before, and her recently released Long Overdue is appropriately titled.

            Long Overdue finds Doris Long backed by some great local musicians, including Joe Hunter on piano, Dallas Coffey on bass, Val Kent on drums, and Al Fuller on sax.  The seventeen cuts on the disk are all standards done the right way, with arrangements that not only let Long’s vocals shine, but also the musicianship of the band behind her. They do a great job on songs like Jimmy Van Huesen’s “Oh You Crazy Moon”; the Gershwin Brothers’ “For You, For Me, Forevermore”; and Cole Porter’s “I Concentrate on You.” I really like the versions of Duke Ellington’s “Drop Me Off in Harlem” and the Fred Rose/Walter Hirsh classic “Deed I Do.” Both really show off the band, especially pianist Hunter and bassist Coffey in the Ellington tune, and sax player Fuller in the other.

            Doris Long is in her eighth year playing Friday nights at the Waterbury Coach House on Madison. She starts at 7:00 and is backed by Hunter and Coffey. Check her out sometime, she and her music are one of the best kept secrets in local music scene.

"Sugar & Adrenaline" Dan Miraldi 2012

            Dan Miraldi’s music is heading in the right direction. The young Cleveland rocker, who has progressed from teen bands to college groups at the College of Wooster, to several post grad projects, has released Sugar & Adrenaline, his second full length CD release, his fourth over all.  Each of the releases has been good, with each one getting better and more polished.

            Sugar and Adrenaline is different than the previous three because it was completely recorded with his touring band, and it shows up on the record with a bit more guitar solos by Alex Bowers, drum introductions by Sarah Luffred, and stronger bass lines by Joe Laguardia. 

            The disk features twelve cuts all written by Miraldi, mostly poppish rock tunes with titles like “Few Rock Harder,” Record Collection,” “Fall in Love All Over Again.” As Miraldi gets older his song writing seems to be heading in a bit more mature vein, and comes through on the last cut on the disc, a ballad titled “The Many Shades of Blue.”

            After listening to the album all weekend in my car stereo it reminds me of two similar albums I enjoyed in the past and still listen to occasionally and that have the same feel to it, Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend (remember with “Winona” on it?), and going way back to when I was Miraldi’s age or younger, the long forgotten classic David Werner’s Whizz Kid.  I hope Miraldi keeps his band together and they keep going, I think they can go to some good places together.

            Dan Miraldi and the Albino Whinos will be headlining this Thursday, July 12, in the Cambridge Room at the House of Blues, 8:00 show. I caught the bands last Cambridge Room show and it was very good, check out this one if you can.

July/August Cleveland Clubs Concert Preview

July/August Club Concert Preview

            Visit Nighttown in Cleveland Heights this summer, especially to have a cocktail and sit on their beautiful patio. And, of course, check out the great jazz artists they have playing all summer long.  Two great upcoming shows include Dave Matthews’ sax player Jeff Coffin bringing a five piece jazz ensemble on Monday, August 13; and the return of the Hot Club of Detroit on August 15 & 16 with their hot Gypsy Jazz. For info on all the things happening at this landmark club/restaurant visit www.nighttown.com.

            With the Tribe fighting for first place that means the Gateway area will be hopping the rest of the summer, including some great shows at Wilberts. Alternative country rockers the Mallet Brothers Band will be there on July 11; roots rockers the Steel Wheels will be there August 1; and Friday, August 10, will be the return of Candye Kane and her blues band. If you have never seen her, please check her out, she really rocks. Don’t forget Wilberts is the cheapest place to drink before and after Tribe games, with $2 domestic beers. Go to www.wilberts.com for more info.

The Kent Stage features four great shows this July with Mary Chapin Carpenter
on July 19; Mitch Ryder as part of the Kent Blues Fest
on July 21; Josh Ritter on July 22; and the return of Kris Kristoffersen on July 27. I caught Kristoffersen the last time he played the Kent Stage and he was outstanding with some great songs and storytelling. For more info go to www.thekentstage.com.

On the West Side at the Winchester things will continue rocking through the summer. This Saturday, June 30, roots rockers Peter Karp and Sue Foley share the stage; guitar legend Phil Keaggy returns on July 14; and singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins appears July 18. Mullins recently co-wrote the #1 country hit “Toes” for the Zac Brown Band. For everything going on at this Lakewood club visit www.thewinchester.net.

As always there are great things happening at the Beachland Ballroom in Collinwood. This Saturday, June 30, is the Annual Waterloo Arts Festival, and the Beachland will feature free music all day. Celtic rockers The Haggis Craic Brothers from Toronto play on July 6; Justin Robertson (founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops) plays July 17; and 1950’s Cleveland rockabilly legends Johnny Fay and the Blazers play on July 20. On Sunday, July 29, the Human Fund does their annual fundraiser to benefit the All City Arts Program in the Cleveland School District featuring Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and his band. Call 440.893.7529 for tickets to this special event. For more info on the Beachland Ballroom visit www.beachlandballroom.com.

As always downtown at the House of Blues there is a lot going on including Brandi Carlile on July 5; Dan Miraldi and the Albino Winos in the Cambridge Room on July 12; and Zappa playing Zappa on July 18. For more info on these shows and more at the Cleveland House of Blues visit www.hob.com/Cleveland. 

"My Cleveland Story" and "Home and Away Games" now available for eReaders

My first two books, My Cleveland Story (1998) and Home and Away Games (2006) are now available for all popular eReaders. If you are a Kindle or Nook fan, or use your computer or smart phone to read your favorite books and best sellers, you can now use them to read my stories.

 Please pass this note on to anyone who is a book lover or uses an electronic device to read books.

 To access My Cleveland Story and Home and Away Games for an electronic reader to to my website www.gregcielec.com where there are links to both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

       

“Finding Voice: Poetry and Portraits from the 2100 Lakeside Men’s Emergency Shelter.”

Poetry writing workshops have been held at the 2100 Lakeside Men’s Emergency Shelter since 2009.  During that time several hundred men have participated in the programs.

Pink Flamingo Press and Creative Endeavors, along with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, who run the shelter, have recently published “Finding Voice: Poetry and Portraits from the 2100 Lakeside Men’s Emergency Shelter.” The book contains over fifty poems written over the last three years by men who have, at one time or another, made the shelter their home. The poems are accompanied by very vivid portraits of some of the residence by staff member Lydia Bailey.

The poetry is surprisingly upbeat and touches on a variety of topics, from lost love to city living to experiences with addiction and unemployment.  Kenneth Gregory writes, “the courage to change gives/Sight into the unseen/Stars to those who dream.” He also writes of an estranged daughter, “I love you dear daughter Kendoll I do/And when you come looking/Dad will be waiting for you.” Amir Muhammad writes about making choices in life, “Don’t know my next move/These trails and adversities/Go way farther than my dreams/next stop Heaven or Hell.” John Correll writes about life at the shelter, “A mission of hope/A place to sleep/To rest from the storm/A place to share my sorrow.” Nathaniel Moore also writes about the shelter, “I’ve been mentally and physically abused/Plus the drugs that I used/It’s a wonder I have a place to stay.” Willie Brown writes about his Alabama home, “I’m from red clay on my clothes and shoes/and ‘Hey Boy, stomp you foots’/I hear Miss Sippie Delta blues/And eatin’ turnips wit da roots.”

Annie Holden who currently runs the shelter’s poetry and creative writing programs says it best, “What stands out about the poetry written by these men is the humanity.”

This Friday, May 11, there will be a book release celebration for “Finding Voice: Poetry and Portraits from the 2100 Men’s Emergency Shelter,” at Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Avenue, on the Cleveland/Lakewood border, from 5:30- 8:00. A $20 donation gets you a copy of the book, hors d’ouvres, and live music by Cats on Holiday.  For more information visit www.lutheranmetro.org/Shelter-Housing/, or call 216.496.8286.

David Sanborn Trio and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Cleveland Tri C Jazz Fest 27 April 2012, State Theater at Playhouse Square

Friday night’s Jazz Fest Concert at the State Theater featured two distinctively different performers. What they have in common is an abundance of talent, solid players behind them, and loyal fans.

Opening the show was the David Sanborn Trio, led by the long time sax player who has been a force not only in jazz but rock for the last forty years. Many Clevelanders, whether they knew it or not, first heard Sanborn when he played the terrific sax solo on the studio version of the Michael Stanley classic “Let’s Get the Show on the Road,” from Stanley’s 1973 Friends and Legends album. His hour long opening set found him backed by his long time organist (and a jazz legend in his own right) Joey DeFrancesco, and Jeremy Thomas. Thomas was making his debut as Sanborn’s drummer but you would not have known it if Sanborn had not mentioned it. His play was solid and consistent. DeFrancesco almost stole the show, with a steady stream of solos as well as his well-received lead vocals on Louis Jordan’s “Let the Good Times Roll.”

And Sanborn was Sanborn, playing one sax solo after another in the six song set. He also added some great story telling, as he appeared to be very comfortable in front of the audience. His story of his first meeting with Tommy LiPuma was outstanding.

I was a little surprised that Sanborn and his trio opened the show, but that’s because I had never seen Trombone Shorty and his band live before. After I did the lineup made sense. While Sanborn had the crowd glued in their seats listening to every note, Shorty and his band Orleans Avenue had the audience up and dancing in the aisles for most of their set.

I have been told by several people whose music opinions I highly regard that Trombone Shorty might be “the next big thing.” After finally seeing him perform live, I agree. His set was outstanding. Backed by a six piece band of guitar, bongos, bass, drums, and two saxophones, Shorty really ripped it up. Whether it was on trumpet, trombone, vocals, or leading the band, all of it was outstanding. I started jotting down the influences I heard in Shorty’s music. The list included Johnny Guitar Watson, the Nevilles, al Hirt, Little Feat, the Tower of Power, Tommy Dorsey, Cab Calloway, the Allman Brothers, Willie Nelson, Santana, Louis Armstrong, George Benson, EWF, the Blues Brothers, and Charles Wright and the Watts 103 Street Rhythm Band. And I’m sure there are dozen more.

Shorty had the audience in the palm of his hand, whether it was during a wonderful version of “Sunny Side of the Street”; imitating Louis Armstrong or leading the band through the audience during “When the Saints Go Marching In”; channeling John Beluschi during a rowdy version of “Everbody Needs Somebody”; or leading the audience in some Cab Calloway yodeling. It was all great stuff.

I know Aretha was good during opening night, and Diana Krall is always entertaining, and there has been nothing but praise for all of the Jazz Fest activities this year, but the highlight for the 2012 Tri C Jazz Fest for many had to be Friday night’s Sanborn/Trombone Shorty doubleheader.