George Cables

Native New Yorker George Cables attended the “Fame” high school (High School of the Performing Arts) in Manhattan as a classically trained pianist; in fact, when he enrolled, he admits he “didn’t know anything about jazz.” But he was soon inspired by such pianists at Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, as well as by the giants of the time, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. "I never really listened to pianists when I was coming up,” he says. “I would probably say I've been more influenced by Miles or Trane and their whole bands rather than by any single pianist. The concept of the music is more important than listening to somebody's chops, somebody's technique… the way Miles' band held together, it was just like magic. You were transported to another world."

George Cables

He landed on the west coast touring with Sonny Rollins and became a fixture on the LA jazz scene, and later in San Francisco. His reputation grew as he worked with Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and Bobby Hutcherson, the latter often on electric piano, as well as Rollins. He became a favorite sideman of a long list of jazz greats, and in the late 70s, Cables worked extensively with Dexter Gordon. With Gordon he really honed his bop chops, noting that "I don't feel that one should be stuck in the mud playing the same old stuff all the time, trying to prove that this music is valid. We don't need to prove anything. But I think you really have to be responsive to your heritage and then go on and find your own voice." A longer collaboration began with Art Pepper, who called Cables “Mr. Beautiful.” As Pepper’s favorite pianist, Cables appeared on quartet recordings and the duet album (Pepper’s last session), Goin’ Home. "I've been able to play with some of the greatest musicians in the world,” notes George, “…every time I play with somebody different I have to put on a different hat."

Among his long resume, Cables has also performed and/or recorded with Joe Henderson, Roy Haynes, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Williams, and Dizzy Gillespie, and has contributed to many sessions as composer and arranger. Most recently, Cables has worked on a tribute to Dexter Gordon with Victor Lewis and Rufus Reid; a quartet project with Gary Bartz, Eric Revis and Jeff Watts; and recordings with Frank Morgan. His playing and compositions were highlighted at the 2007 Healdsburg Jazz Festival.

About Cachaça

One of the newest jazz venues in Manhattan, Cachaça is a beautiful, intimate room decorated in a Brazilian theme featuring the best in live jazz and world music. A perfectly conditioned 1932 mahogany 7-foot Steinway piano graces the stage. The room is tuned using a double bass as an acoustic reference, resulting in a superb listening experience. A quiet policy applies during each performance. The cover charge is $10, plus a $15 minimum per person with sets at 9 and 11 pm and 1 am. No food is served, however menus from selected area restaurants are available.

More about George Cables at www.georgecables.com. Cachaça is located at 35 West 8th St (between 5th & 6th Aves.); www.cachacajazz.com.