I’d walk a mile for JazzErie

Actually, you don’t even have to walk at the music group’s 11th annual Jazz and Blues Walk. You can take the trolley.

PREVIEW by Al Lubiejewski Contributing writer

Remember that old advertising boast, “I’d walk a mile for a Camel?” Few would walk that far today. Some would walk a mile in the other direction.

But would you stroll a couple of blocks in beautiful downtown Erie on a gorgeous summer night to find some cool jazz and hot blues? Ah, now that’s smoke of a different color.

This Saturday night, you can walk for blocks and blocks — or relax and ride the continuously circulating jazz trolleys — and hear some great live music every inch of the way.

The occasion is JazzErie’s 11th annual Jazz and Blues Walk happening at a dozen musical hot spots throughout downtown Erie. The event kicks off Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State St., with an hourlong reception featuring food and drink served to the backdrop of the Charles Ventrello Quartet.

Saxophonist Ventrello’s band plays hardbop jazz, taking standards like “Without a Song” and jazz tunes like Monk’s “Hackensack” and Miles’ “All Blues” and swinging them. The band includes pianist Derf Hopsecger, bassist John Huegel, and drummer Carl Alanakian.
But let’s not delay — there’s 11 other places to go.

PAPERMOON RESTAURANT BOASTS THE Basil Ronzitti Trio augmented by some special guests. The trio sports Basil on piano, Richard Thompson on bass, and Brad Amidon on drums. Joining them will be Doug Dinburg on reeds and Ed Russell, formerly of Erie and now of New York, on guitar.

You’ll find pianist Jim Madden and his group at Scotty’s Jazz and Cigar Bar exploring modern jazz in all its forms and colors. Fasten your seat belt for a tour of the music of Freddie Hubbard, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Keith Jarrett, courtesy of Madden on piano, Ed Hallahan on bass, Jamie Abate on drums, and Marilyn Livosky on vocals.

Pufferbelly Restaurant hosts Carl Hultman and Jazz Friends, a quartet that specializes in hard bop and cool jazz in the styles of Sonny Rollins (“Oleo”) and Miles Davis (“Four”). For lovers of lyrics, the band — Hultman on guitar and vocals, Dave Callagan on sax, Jay Hapenan on bass, and John Nicotin on drums — will feature vocalist Barb Schwartz.

Vocalist Katie Chriest joins Gene Leone’s Spa Quintet at Matthew’s Trattoria and Martini Lounge for stirring renditions of favorites like Bobby Troup’s “Route 66” and Etta James’ “At Last,” alternated with singer Leone’s versions of “Summer Wind” and “New York, New York.” Supporting the duo are Leone on piano, Stan Bialomizy and Alan Zuercher on saxes and reeds, Plaz Presutti on bass, and Guido D’Amico on drums.

On the heels of her debut disc, “Lovelight Shining,” singer Lydia Marks brings her band, Jazz Kats, to Molly Brannigans Irish Pub. The band will include Ventrello on sax, Alanakian on flute and drums, Mark Dewalt on piano, and Harry Jacobson on bass.

Marks will perform selections from “Lovelight Shining,” including “Cry Me A River,” “Poinciana,” “Falling In Love With Love,” and the infectious title piece.

Don’t miss singer and keyboardist Mary Alice Brown at Billie’s at the Avalon. An Erie legend, Brown sings with the charisma of Billie Holiday and plays with the earthy drive of Les McCann. Her mates include Cyn Manus on congas and Jim Bauman on drums.

Potato Battery waves the flag of fusion at the Downtown Erie Hotel (formerly the Ramada). The band's tightly arranged original compositions layer bop, funk, and blues over a rock beat.

Their songs -"Omega Man,""Fatty Acids,""Noodles," and "Places, Spaces"- give you a good idea of the playfulness of the group, and they leave plenty of room for improvising by plugged-in guitarists Mike Ohm and Sheldon Peterson, bassist David Blaetz, and drummer Matthew Ferguson.

Cat's a Bear prowls Scully's Pub with its patented brand of electric fusion. The band's original tunes will likely mirror their titles: "It's Always Something,""Change,""Sternly," and "Peace Thaw." Frank Singer is the group's high-wattage guitarist, Joe Dorris its drummer, Phil Papotnik saxophonist, and Tony Stefanelli bassist.
But if your bent is danceable swing, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues, visit Nicky's Pub, where the Red Hot Rugcutters will rip through Wynonie Harris'"All She Wants to Do Is Rock," Louis Jordan's "Caldonia," and Joe Turner's "Flip, Flop, and Fly."

The bandmates are Dan Reese on piano and vocals, Larry Kownacki on reeds, harp, and vocals, John Musatto on drums, Shawn Phelps on guitar and vocals, and John Dauber on bass.

Finally, it's time to feast on somedown-and-dirty blues.

The Rodger Montgomery Blues Band will mingle backwoods and big-city blues at the Docksider Tavern. Recalling Magic Sam, Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, and Albert Collins, the Montgomery Band explores hoary gems and newer tunes, like Rodger's own "Double Blade Axe,""Jinxy," and "Walking the Tracks," the latter three from his eponymous CD.
Supporting Montgomery's guitar and spirited vocals are Rich Kowalchek on bass, Dennis Wieland on harmonica, and Mike Russel on drums.

The Duke Sherman Blues Band trucks loud and lusty electric Chicago blues right to the starlit back deck of the Plymouth Tavern. When the Sherman band plugs and plays, you'll hear the yowls of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Little Walter.

JazzErie’s 11th Annual Jazz and Blues
Walk will be held Saturday, starting at 7 p.m., at 12 downtown music venues. See the accompanying schedule for details.

Tickets are $10 and include all venues and rides on the two jazz trolleys. They’ll be available on Saturday in front of the Erie Art Museum, 411 State St., from 6-9 p.m. You must be 21 to attend. For details, visit online at www.jazzerie.com.

Where to walk to
The 11th annual JazzErie Jazz and Blues Walk will be held Saturday at 12 downtown venues. Here are the stops along the way:

• 7 p.m. Opening reception with Charles Ventrello Quartet. Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State St.
• 8 p.m. Cat’s a Bear. Scully’s Pub, 408 State St.
• 8 p.m. Carl Hultman and Jazz Friends. Pufferbelly Restaurant, 414 French St.
• 8 p.m. Mary Alice Brown. Billies at the Avalon Hotel, 16 W. 10th St.
• 8 p.m. Potato Battery. Downtown Erie Hotel (formerly Ramada Inn), 18 W. 18th St.
• 8 p.m. Red Hot Rugcutters. Nicky’s Pub, 1013 State St.
• 9 p.m. Lydia Marks and Jazz Kats. Molly Brannigans Irish Pub, 506 State St.
• 9 p.m. Basil Ronzitti Trio. Papermoon Restaurant, 1325 State St.
• 9 p.m. Gene Leone’s Spa Quartet with Katie Chriest. Matthew’s Trattoria and Martini Lounge, 153 E. 13th St.
• 9 p.m. Rodger Montgomery Blues Band. Docksider Tavern, 1015 State St.
• 9 p.m. Duke Sherman Blues Band. Plymouth Tavern, 1109 State St.
• 10 p.m. Jim Madden Trio. Scotty’s Jazz and Cigar Bar, 301 German St.