The Michigan Daily =- Friday, September 14, 1984 - Page 7 Local jazz artists kick off Cruisin' at U-Club By Marc S. Taras Y ES, FOLKS, we are recording tonight. The opportunity to be in the audience for a live recording of Treetown's favorite bands only seems to come once every couple of years. It's been that long since- the Ann Arbor Music Project released Cruisin' Ann Arbor. And now ... the sequel. Twelve new bands with an even wider selection of musical genres will be featured on the new Lp which is 'being recorded this week in a 'mini-festival' atmosphere. Three of Ann Arbor's world class jazz bands kicked off the activities Wed- nesday night with professionalism, verve, and above all else, daring. The evening began warmly with a quartet led by pianist/composer Stephanie Ozer and vocalist Kathy Moore. Their opener, a blues in- strumental penned by Ozer set the tone of professionalism for the night. Ozer's playing was deliberate and spare yet capable of unfolding to a rush of notes. Bruce Dondero provided a strong rhythmic foundation bowing and plucking his acoustic bass. Kathy Moore joined the trio, and launched dauntlessly into a diverse set of tunes with warmth and enthusiasm. One could sense how singing for her is a per- sonal unfolding. And I call it daring when a singer chooses to cover such material as Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" or "Open Your Eyes You. Can Fly," the Chick Corea tune popularized by the Brazilian vocal phenom Flora Purim. Well, Moore is something of a phenom in her. own right. She has what I would call a great set of pipes. A voice that emerges clearly and softly and grows up and out until it is amazingly wide. She is at once brassy and classy, reminding me of the great singers who trained for the stage like Cleo Laine or Judy Garland. She lends a special attention to the lyric of a song as evidenced in her sen- sitive duet with Ozer on Stephanie's "Morning Song." The highlight of their set was a stunning version of "My Favorite Things." In light of Coltrane's adopting this tune in the 60s its inclusion in this set is another daring move. But the originality of the arrangements was irresistable. Rhythms shifted and crossed with the delightful Ozer dan- cing over all. When Kathy unleashed her vocal and rhythmic chops, an already great arrangement was given wings. The Ron Brooks Trio is something of a legend in local jazz circles with their regular jam sessions at the Earle. With the edition of trumpeter Bill Lucas the U-Club crowd was treated to a solid quartet session of post-bop energies. The trumpet quarted play two of Miles Davis's most famous pieces, "Four" and "All Blues." With bassist Brooks at the helm looking - and sounding - like Mingus, the band met the challenge of this material with wonderful assurance and strength. But my vote for inclusion on the Cruisin' disc would be their stun- ning version of "On Green Dolphin" Street." With rolling rhythms taken at a brisk pace, Bill Lucas skipped through a beautiful solo making the most of the middle register of the horn and improvising on the quirky melody. The rhythm section cooked along with Bob Elliott's cymbals sizzling and Ron's bass swirling. I was on my feet shaking and screaming. Pianist Terry Lower, who Brooks called "the new kid in town," seemed delighted with his surroundings as his happy, bright piano strolled along while the dolphin-folk danced. Two great sets. How could we be happier? Only after a visit from Ann Arbor's sultans of salsa, The Lunar Glee Club. This inspiring eight piece ensemble projects three white-hot hor- ns out front and three fiery drummers behind a funky bass and a capital Elec- tric guitar. And the band is well named. They put forth a special blend of magical elements that makes you want to move. The horn _section is led by lunar trumpeter Kalle Nemvaltz. Kalle has been one of my favorite players for some time and his solo work was as thoughtful as ever. All of the horn arrangements came down with energy and precision. Nemvaltz is flanked by talented reed- stars Paul Vornhagen and Steve Hilt- ner. The three drummers are led by conga drummer Aron Kaufman who is joined by Dave Mason on percussion and John Krosnick on the drumkit. Dan Bilich provides the funky bottom and Sam Clark adds a pyrotechnic guitar. All in all, this is an impressive outfit. They dare to delight in playing all of their own original compositions. Everybody in the band contributes .to the writing. In an evening where beautiful arrangements were the highlight, the Lunar Glee Club took the honors. Kaufman's "Subway, Tep- sions" turns urban angst into lunar y by virtue of its infectious rhythms d powerful horn head. Much of the Glee Club's material has this sort of salsa appeal. Steve Hit- ner's "Sitcom Paramedic" reve.s another aspect of the band -a joyogs sort of bop descended from Mingus.. But my vote 'for the record' wouldle the new piece that they offered a n encore, "Quasar Salad." Writteq' y percussionist Dave Mason, this 'tie features Nemvaltz leading sporty hb64is over chugging rhythm engines movoig toward a gradual peak. The Glee Glib also gets my vote for the Most Creafte Song Titles. And the U-Club gets my vote a;'ie premier jazz venue in the state. ;'Wis place is happening. You can try i-n for size with three nights of rock 4d new wave music as the live recordils of the second Cruisin' Lp conte through Saturday. And you can be&$rt of what promises to be one of the1idst exciting record releases of the year, A, barry bagel's plaCe, .I 8 delicious fresh baked varieties HELPWELCOME US TO CAMPUS 2 FREE BAGELS that's right FREE! t (limit coupon per person) S. State St. next to Pizza Bob's - 994-9300 Bassist Ron Brooks records for Cruisin' II at the U-Club Wednesday night. Elton rocks ,Joe Louis (Contined from Page 6) musical selection. He mixed in a healthy portion of his last two albums, including such hits such as "Sad Songs," "Restless," "Kiss the Bride," "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," and "I'm Still Standing." During "Saturday Night's," Elton got a little carried away, and gave parts of his piano stool and .his jacket to the audience. While his outfit and the set might have lacked the glitter of his mid- 70s tours, there was still an excellent light show. Elton, however, was tied to the piano most of the night and did little dancing and carousing, except when breaking his stools (three of them). 9.The set was rounded off by "Levon," 'Candle in the Wind," and "Blue Eyes." For his encores, Elton perfor- ,, med "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," .,"'Your Song," and a roaring rendition of *.>"Crocodile." ~Even though he left out several of his -Most popular songs, Elton's concert was far from disappointing. If this in- deed is his farewell tour, he leaves as a memorable performer who can be mat- ched by few other musicians. ANN-ARBOR INDIVIDUAL THEATRES S 5th Are of Liberty 701-9700 DAILY MATINEES DAILY FIRST SHOW $2.00 " 'UNDER THE VOLCANO' IS INTELLIGENT ... BEAUTIFULLY ACTED AND DIRECTED" -USA TODAY ALBERT FINNEY JACQUELINE BISSET ANTHONY ANDREWS NO ONE CAN LIVE WITHOUT LOVE! FRI.1007:30, 9:40, 11:30P.M. SAT. 1:20, 3:20, 5:25, 7:30, 9:40, 11:30 P.M. SUN. 1:20, 3:20, 5:25, 7:30, 9:40 WINNER OF 8 OF AUSTRALIA'S MAJOR FILM AWARDS - In one hour, you can try to break"Tiny" Terwilliger's record*of eating six extra large pizzas with anchovies or learn ho v to slice your stuy time in -t \ And that's no fish story. As you'ii discover by coming to one of our free One Hour Seminars. Where you'll also discover how to enjoy more free time in college. For whatever you want to do. Eating pizzas. Attending rock concerts. Partying. Or engaged in trivial pursuit. At our free seminar, we'll also show you how you can triple your reading effectiveness, raise your grade point average, and end your cramming forever Bring a friend and join us at our seminar. It's only an hour. It's free. And it's a smart move on your part. No matter how you slice it. *U~nofficial record reported in 1983 by a fellow~ fraternity brother who then fled he' "Atsamaboy" Pizza Palace in Los Angeles in total disgust. Restaurant is flO longer in operation. half. 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