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A little jazz

Friday, May 17, 2002

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The summer jazz scene is shaping up to be better than expected. The music is pretty much concentrated over three weekends, beginning in June with the annual Mellon Jazz Festival and culminating with the Nemacolin Jazz Festival on the July Fourth weekend.

	Hot Picks Ahmad Jamal In jazz, virtuosity is defined by one's ability to innovate and improvise -- that aptitude for creating or appearing to create spontaneous musical ideas. That helps to partially explain why East Liberty pianist Ahmad Jamal has always reinvented himself through his music. Each concert and every recording reveals something different. His 1958 recording, "Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing," permanently altered the dynamics of the small ensemble, setting into motion what many consider the paradigm for modern trios. His style and orchestral approach to arrangements resonates through the works of many younger pianists, including Marcus Roberts. Jamal will perform with his trio, which includes Pittsburgh drummer James Johnson III. (July 6, Nemacolin, Marquis Ballroom) Arturo Sandoval Sandoval has risen from his turbulent youthful days in Cuba to become a bona fide master of the trumpet. He isn't too bad as a pianist, either. His latest recording, "My Passion For The Piano," spotlights the trumpeter playing piano on 12 songs, including "Blues in F" to "Marianela Says Goodbye." As a trumpeter, he readily acknowledges Dizzy Gillespie as his musical mentor, but Sandoval has cultivated his own brand of charisma and style. (June 23, Point State Park) -- Nate Guidry Post-Gazette Staff Writer

A bonus was added recently when Craig Poole, owner of James Street Restaurant, announced that the Dave Stryker and Steve Slagle Quartet will appear June 14-15.

The variety at this year's Mellon Festival appears to have waned compared to previous years, but there are enough heavyweights and local talent to keep things exciting.

MELLON JAZZ FESTIVAL

JUNE 13: The Pittsburgh Jazz Society Big Band: One Mellon Center Plaza, Downtown, noon. Free.

Geri Allen Trio: Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, North Side, 8 p.m. $22.50.

JUNE 14: Tony Bennett: Heinz Hall, 8 p.m. $39.50-$82.

JUNE 15: Mark Perna, John Schmidt, Mike Sakask and Dave Turner with Eric Susoeff and Eric Defade, Gene Ludwig and Dr. John: Point State Park, 5 p.m. Free.

JUNE 16: Rene Marie and the Kenny Garrett Quartet: Point State Park, 5 p.m. Free.

For more Mellon Jazz Festival details, call the hot line at 412-234-3275 or go to www.mellon.com/jazz

NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS JAZZFEST

JULY 4: Roger Humphries Big Band: Croquet Deck, 3 to 6 p.m. Free.

Billy Price and Spyro Gyra: Marquis Ballroom, 7-10:15 p.m. $35.

JULY 5: Wine and Jazz featuring the music of Sandy Dowe: Grand Ballroom, 2-3:30 p.m. $15.

Harold Betters pre-concert reception: Lafayette Gardens, 7:15-8 p.m. Free.

Al Dowe and Etta Cox featuring Karrin Allyson: Marquis Ballroom, $25. 8-10:45 p.m.

JULY 6: Frank and Lori Trio performs during a cooking demonstration: Lecture Hall, 1-2 p.m. $15.

Kenny Blake: Lafayette Gardens, 5:15-6 p.m.

Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band: Marquis Ballroom, 6-7:15 p.m. $30.

Roger Humphries Big Band: Lafayette Gardens, 7:45-8:30 p.m. Free.

Ahmad Jamal Trio: Marquis Ballroom, 8:30-10 p.m. $35.

JULY 7: Jazz Brunch with Etta Cox: Marquis Ballroom, $56.

For Nemacolin Jazz details, call 800-422-2736.

Other concerts

Peter Brotzmann Tentet: Bellefield Auditorium, Oakland, 8 p.m. June 9. $15 advance/$20 door. 412-422-8864.

Olu Dara with Paul Cebar: Three Rivers Arts Festival, Point State Park, 6:30 p.m. June 13. Free

Dave Stryker and Steve Slagle Quartet: James Street Restaurant, 9 and 11 p.m. June 14-15. $10. 412-323-2222.

Larry Coryell: Dowe's on 9th, Downtown, 8 and 10 p.m. June 14. $20. 412-281-9225.

Arturo Sandoval: Three Rivers Arts Festival, Point State Park, 7:30 p.m. June 23. Free.