“Anat Fort is a daring pianist-composer whose inventive way with tunes and time suggests a huge talent in the making. And she understands the importance of a good working trio, which is why hers is so cohesive."    ---K. Leander Williams

On Sunday, March 21st, the MacPhail Center for Music hosts a rare appearance by Israeli pianist Anat Fort. At 3 pm, Fort will present a free, public workshop, “The Art of the Piano Trio,” followed by a 6 pm performance in Antonello Hall with local titans Adam Linz (bass) and J.T. Bates (drums). Tickets for the concert are $10 ($5 students), available at the door.

Born near Tel Aviv, Anat Fort studied classical piano. Drawn early to improvisation, her formative influences included Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, Elvis Costello, John Coltrane and Egberto Gismonti. In the early 1990s, Anat came to the United States, seeking to gain a foundation in jazz tradition while also feeding her leanings toward more free approaches. Soon she had self-produced her debut recording, Peel, and received commissions to write for various ensembles, including chamber and chorus and orchestra. Her most recent commission was premiered at the Opera House in Tel Aviv in January 2006.

Barbara Morrison © Andrea Canter

Jazz Singer, Educator and radio host Barbara Morrison will appear at Steamers Jazz Club,  located at 138 W. Commonwealth Ave. in Fullerton on Friday, March 19th and Saturday, March 20th. Barbara has spent over 30  years in the music industry. Over the years she has performed with a virtual "who's who" of the Jazz and the Blues worlds. That list includes legends like; Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, James Moody, Ron Carter, Etta James, Esther Phillips, David T. Walker, Jimmy Smith, Johnny Otis, Dr. John, Kenny Burrell, Terence Blanchard, Joe Sample, Cedar Walton, Nancy Wilson, Mel Torme, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, and Keb' Mo.  Additionally, Ms. Morrison guest stars with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and Doc Severinsen's Big Band.

“For me, it's always been about playing creative music and trying to find my own sound, my own voice.” — Joe Lovano  

Joe Lovano©Andrea Canter

Known as much for his inventive compositions and eclectic ensembles as for his power and lyricism on the horn, Grammy winner Joe Lovano has enjoyed a stream of vital collaborations with such legendary performers as Paul Motian, John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Elvin Jones, Hank Jones, and Gunther Schuller. A frequent favorite in the Down Beat Critics and Readers’ Polls, his eclecticism is evident in recent projects ranging from duets to quartets to big bands, but perhaps never more stunning than with his new quintet project, Us Five, and their recent release, Folk Art (2009, Blue Note). This week, March 18-21, Us Five (with James Weidman, Esperanza Spalding, Francisco Mela and Otis Brown) take up residence at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. 

Roy Haynes©Andrea Canter

If there is an “Energizer Bunny” of jazz, it has to be drummer extraordinaire Roy Haynes. At an age when even jazz musicians tend to slow down and take it easy, Haynes has done the opposite, revving up his engines with his “Fountain of Youth” Band—so aptly named for its leader, issuing volcanic recordings and traveling cross-country to share the beat. This week Haynes celebrates an unbelievable 85th birthday with a series of sets with special guests at the Blue Note in Manhattan, March 17-21. 

Roy Haynes

2009 TCJF at Mears Park©Andrea Canter

Like the childhood story of the “Little Engine That Could,” the Twin Cities Jazz Festival has emerged from near extinction to become one of the major jazz events of the Midwest summer season. After losing sponsors amidst the national economic downturn, the 11th annual festival in 2009 was nearly canceled. Yet producer Steve Heckler pulled a rabbit out of his horn, with support from the City of St. Paul, Northwestern Foods, and others who ensured a successful weekend at Mears Park. So successful, in fact, that Heckler found more sponsors for 2010. The 12th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival returns to St. Paul June 17-19 with a roll call of headliners that should please jazz fans well beyond the metro area—Joe Lovano’s Us Five, John Scofield’s Piety Street Band, the Sean Jones Quintet, Bobby Watson, and John Ellis’s Double Wide. Add in another stage on adjacent Sixth Street with such favorites as the X-Tet, Ronny Loew, Connie Evingson and Salsa Del Soul, three nights at the Hat Trick Lounge and Artists Quarter, Thursday’s Jazz Night Out, and a student stage, and you have the ingredients for a gumbo of great jazz—and as Heckler notes, “The price is right ... all the music in Mears Park…will be free!”

Pooch's Playhouse©Andrea Canter

What happens when five veteran jazzmen come together for mutual inspiration and free conversation? Welcome to Pooch’s Playhouse at the Artists Quarter on March 21st (7 pm), a Twin Cities Jazz Society “Jazz From J to Z” concert.  

Pooch’s Playhouse features bassist Bruce “Pooch” Heine, guitarist Joel Shapira, saxophonist Dave Brattain, pianist Mark Asche and percussionist Dave Schmalenberger. Shapira describes the music as “diversely influenced, adventurous and open-ended, but we are first and foremost a pure jazz group, that is the intention of this band... and we are proud of that fact.” 

Paul Motian © T Bruce Wittett

Since the early 1980s Paul Motian has led a trio featuring guitarist Bill Frisell and saxophonist Joe Lovano, occasionally joined by bassists Ed Schuller, Charlie Haden or Marc Johnson, and other musicians, including Jim Pepper, Lee Konitz, Dewey Redman and Geri Allen. In addition to playing Motian's compositions, the group has recorded tributes to Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans, and a series of Paul Motian on Broadway albums, featuring original interpretations of standard tunes.