Wendy Pedersen is a singer whose mixture of sensual jazz and
high energy blues has made her a South Florida favorite. She was awarded
the Southern Bell Pace jazz artist of the year, as well as being named
best female rock vocalist by the New Times. Wendy's album credits include
Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias. She also has
her own cd called "Me + Three" and is currently in the studio recording
another one..
LeNard Rutledge and DonWilner - The Days of Wine and Roses
Miami New Times "Best Jazz Artist" 2006
LeNard Rutledge LeNard Rutledge, born and raised in Miami, where there is only a handful
of truly great jazz vocalists, is usually compared, aptly, to the legendary
Lou Rawls. Like Rawls, Rutledge's classy elegance is often permeated by
the raw passion of his church choir work. In fact Rutledge still sings
with the choir at the historic Saint Agnes Episcopal Church in Overtown.
"I'm religious, but not very. I drop the F-bomb when necessary," he says.
Rutledge began not as a vocalist but as a drummer, playing in the marching
band at Miami Central Senior High, and later making his income during college,
in North Carolina, playing at local clubs. He began his vocal career in
1997, when he was asked to join the famed Melton Mustafa Orchestra, whose
bandleader, the amazing trumpet player Melton Mustafa, was a member of
the Count Basie band for seven years. In 2002 Rutledge was introduced to
the music director of Miami's Van Dyke Café, Don Wilner, who immediately
recognized Rutledge's talent and began giving him regular spots. "Don Wilner
has a reputation of being difficult," Rutledge says, "but that's just because
he wants the absolute best. I feel honored to sing there, because it means
I'm up to those standards." Rutledge also performs at the Ritz-Carlton
South Beach and Emeril's Restaurant, and is working on his debut album,
scheduled for release in June. For live performance dates, visit www.donwilner.com.
Captivating, soul stirring, earthy and funky. These are just some of
the words used to describe the song styles of LeNard Rutledge. Growing
up in Miami, Florida, LeNard was always surrounded by many different musical
styles. It was college when LeNard began to get serious about music.
In 1992, LeNard contributed three songs to the Stanley Baird CD, (Stop,
Look, Listen), Saxony Records. In 1995, LeNard submitted two of those
songs to the Billboard Songwriting Contest. His song, So In Love (with
you) placed in the 1% of 50,000 R&B entries. In October 1997, LeNard
auditioned as a vocalist for the Melton Mustafa Orchestra. He got the gig
and is still performing with the band. LeNard has been a featured vocalist
at area Jazz spots in South Florida. LeNard is currently recording his
first solo CD.
BEST JAZZ MUSICIAN
Don Wilner - Selections From A Carmen Fantasy
Classically trained on the bass, Don Wilner may seem like a
musical nerd. He holds a doctorate in music from the University of Miami
(where he taught for many years) and he has published numerous articles
about jazz performance and pedagogy. But when he plays in the Van Dyke
Café's upstairs bar, he reveals himself to be the heppest of hepcats,
a jazz man through and through. As the Van Dyke's musical coordinator,
he keeps the room humming seven days a week. As in-house bassist he's there
more often than not, playing along with some of the hottest names in the
jazz world: Mose Allison, Mark Murphy, Johnny O'Neal, and Grady Tate to
name a few. Whether accompanying greats, performing with the members of
his own hard-bop ensemble (currently fielding offers from major record
labels), or letting loose on a solo during a performance by his trio (James
Martin and Mark Marineau), Wilner swings, sways, grooves, takes it seriously,
takes it fun, grimaces, smiles, sweats, and gives the impression he's loving
every minute of it. His recently released album, the eclectic Mysterious
Beauty, features jazzy takes on classical tunes (themes from Georges Bizet's
opera Carmen), standards (Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" and Harold Arlen's
"Ill Wind"), and bebop classics (Charlie Parker's "Dexterity") and recently
earned a rave review from the esteemed Jazz Times magazine.
BEST PIANO MAN
He's toured and recorded with Arturo Sandoval and alternated tracks
with jazz legend Chick Corea. He's played with Paquito D'Rivera and in
Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Orchestra. And his day gig is director
of jazz studies at Florida International University. But most nights you
can find him tickling the keys at the Van Dyke Café. Mike Orta
is the solid backbone for any performer or ensemble who hits the stage,
whether local chanteuse Rose Max or touring titan Toots Thielemans. But
when it's Orta's time to turn a solo, the notes fly from his fingers in
breathtaking order, a transcendent bop of ivory that leaves admirers agape,
headliners upstaged, and bandleaders shaking their heads. Orta's amazingly
creative improvisations and virtuosic technique have made for many memorable
moments in Miami jazz.
Every Monday Brazilian Jazz At Its Most Romantic
Beatriz Malnic with Mike Orta and Don Wilner
Beatriz Malnic- Brasil
From the New CD!!!!
Beatriz Malnic, Mike Orta, Don Wilner, Harry Allen, Duduka da Fonseca-
Capim
Beatriz Malnic, born in Brazil, graduated in music
at Sao Paulo University, where she studied singing, composition, choir
conducting and piano. She worked with the composer, guitar player and partner
of Vinicius de Moraes (Girl from Ipanema) Toquinho, in tournees in South
America, Italy, Germany and Spain. Worked with artists like Chico Buarque,
Lucio Dalla and Roberto Menescal.
Living now in the United States, Florida, for 10 years, she performs
in jazzclubs , local events and international festivals, singing Brazilian
jazz, sambas and American standards. In October 2002 she performed in the
Broward Center for the Performing Arts with Joao Bosco and Toquinho.
Her first CD of bossa-nova and samba songs was produced by Roberto
Menescal for Warner Music of Brazil, programmed by Nelson Motta.
Her recent CD with Don Wilner and Mike Orta , "Estrada do Sol"
is going to be released in August 2006.
With Loren Dae, Beatriz created a Brazilian female vocal ensemble,
the "Brazilian Voices " that performs in local events and was awarded in
2003 , 2004, 2005 the Brazilian International Press Award for outstanding
group in the US. Their CD "Brazilian Voices" was released in May 2005.
Their performance at the Broward Center brought tears to the eyes of the
honorary composer in attendance, Mr. Ivan Lins.
Every Tuesday
Mariana Martin With
Don Wilner
and
Mike Orta
Real
Player video http://www.jazz-on-demand.com:8080/ramgen/realaudio/DonWilner/mariana%20martin.rm
Windows
Media video
Born in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Mariana Martin is a consequence
of the Bossa Nova movement. American mother and Brazilian father she lived
most of her life between the USA and Brazil. She started her singing
career at age 18 in Rio singing Brazilian Jazz at the popular local clubs
of Rio. She studied music at the Brazilian conservatory of music
in Rio de Janeiro and Dick Grove School of Music in LA.
She is now based in Miami and is in the process of launching
her new album "Forbidden Fruit" that is better described as a fusion of
her American and Brazilian heritage.
Friday & Saturday July 7 & 8 Beverly Barkley
with the
Mike Levine Trio
It isn't very often that a vocal talent emerges who
can literally do it all and exceptionally well. Beverly Barkley is
such a talent. Raised in Miami, Beverly has success singing R&B, rock
and roll, country and western, jazz standards, blues and top 40.
From the age of seven, Beverly studied voice with Gina Merreth. She
was a member of the vocal group "The Mystic Five", patterned after The
Jackson Five. Their agent, Leo Carter, booked them in South Florida where
they captured the hearts of audiences at Miami's National Guard Armory,
Double Deck Club, The Continental and Sir John Night Beat, in Overtown.
They also performed in Bermuda, Nassau and Trinidad. As an opening act,
they appeared at concerts with The Staple Singers, Jackie Wilson and James
Brown at the Miami Jai-Alai Fronton.
When the group dissolved in 1975, Beverly began modeling. She received
an AA at Miami-Dade Community College. In 1978, she embarked upon her brilliant
jazz career with saxophonist Jet Nero. During this time, she performed
with another group, The Cherrystones, which had a more contemporary flavor.
They performed at the Cricket Club and at Turnberry Isles, in Miami.
Beverly's delivery of a song is mesmerizing. Her variations in tonal
quality and technical mastery are phenomenal. Inspired by her Uncle Rueben
Mitchell, the first black jazz pianist to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show,
Beverly has developed into a professional performer. She toured the Playboy
Club circuit, in the eighties, with a group called Togetherness. She sang
rock and roll with The Wright Brothers Band in Key West, Fort Walton Beach,
Columbia, South Carolina and Columbus, Georgia. Beverly's first disco record,
entitled "I want To Go Home With You", was recorded in 1985, with Togetherness.
Later, she appeared at Cye's Rivergate, in downtown Miami. Since 1985,
Beverly has appeared with such notable musicians as:
Michael Gillis at the Pier House and Full Moon Saloon in Key West
Ernie Goldsmith at Topsider's, in Hollywood
Pete Minger at the R&R Club, The Helm, Studio One
Billy Marcus at Greenstreets, in Coral Gables, and O'Hara's, Fort Lauderdale
Jimmy Crawford at Hotel Intercontinental
The Beverly Barkley Quartet appeared, at the Flamingo Room at Hotel
Intercontinental, in 1987. She continues to exhibit her unique vocal talent
at JAZID in Miami Beach and Champagne's in North Miami.
Described by her fans as "the female Al Jarreau," Beverly attributes
her jazz stylings to her mentors - Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy
Wilson and Sarah Vaughn, whom she considers to have "the most unique voice
of all." She also credits Barbara Streisand and Dionne Warwick with influencing
her style. She adores Michael Jackson as a great entertainer. "I just like
all music, as long as it sounds good," she asserts. Beverly really makes
ALL music sound good!
Beverly's future goals include a compact disk of standards and originals.
She has a burning desire to produce a musical learning tape and video for
children in of all ages. She hopes to tour Europe and Latin America where
she believes that the issue of color will not be a hindrance as it is in
the United States.
Billy Ross and Mike Levine have been making music together for
over 30 years. The two meet in the middle 70's while attending the U M
School of Music. Shortly after, they formed the Ross-Levine Band which
was one of the early jazz fusion groups. Their national release "That Summer
Something"
placed them on the jazz on AOR Stations in the top 10 for over 6 weeks.
Ross went on to record 2 solo albums with the help of Levine on the Fantasy
Label, which showcased Ross's straight ahead style. Now back together,
the two and their quartet are performing a combination of standards and
originals all done in the groups unique musical style ......keeping in
it musical.
Beginning his love affair with percussion at the seemingly late age
of eighteen didn't set Sammy Figueroa back one bit. His unshakable
sense of tempo and astounding ability to improvise clearly indicated that
playing percussive instruments was his destiny. He would go on to perform
with an eclectic roster of musical superstars including Miles Davis, Chet
Baker, David Bowie, Marc Anthony, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion. With partner
Rachel Faro, he'd produce records for Cuban a cappella group Vocal Sampling
and Puerto Rican cuatro player Yomo Toro. A onetime resident of California
and New York, Figueroa packed up his congas and his stellar credentials
to live in South Florida two years ago. He's been making his rhythmic presence
known ever since, sitting in with the occasional jazz combo, showing up
from time to time alongside young hipsters like DJ Le Spam and the Spam
Allstars. Recently the combustible conguero formed the appropriately
named Latin Jazz Explosion featuring Carlos Averhoff, Grammy Award winner
and nineteen-year veteran of Cuban fusion band Irakere, on saxophone along
with Mike Orta on piano, Nick Orta on bass. The Explosion may just blast
itself right out of South Florida, so enjoy the beat master while he's
still ours. " from Miami New Times Magazine
Visiting family in Miami in 2005 from his home in Kaliningrad, an obscure
corner of Russia sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania (the former German
city of Königsberg), Dmitriy sat in on a jam session at Churchill's
and was an immediate hit with patrons and musicians alike. He was invited
by many to sit in on other gigs, making a splash at Gil's Café,
Solo on the Bay, and other venues. People just love his music.
We followed him home! In Warsaw we went for dinner at Klub Tygmont,
one of the most prestigious jazz clubs in Europe, where artists such as
Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock perform regularly when on European tours.
While relative unknowns do not perform there, we were there on an off night
and Dmitriy was invited up to play. He brought down the house, and was
invited back for a performance on February 14, 2006. That, too, was a smash
hit, and we expect he'll be seen there again.
While back in Kaliningrad, Dmitriy and some colleagues cut a CD which
included "Chicken", the Pee Wee Ellis funk tune. When Ellis heard it he
said he looked forward to playing with Dmitriy.
Dmitriy started out on cruise ships, which took him to Indonesia. People
there were so impressed that they arranged a performance for the president,
Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Friday & Saturday July 21 & 22 Jesse Jones Watch Jesse - click here
"Jazz critics like to carve up their chosen terrain into two diametrically
opposed camps: musicians who play straight-ahead, and those who play "free."
Miami saxophonist Jesse Jones, Jr., chooses to fudge this divide,
and it's precisely that versatility that makes him such a delight to hear.
Witness his occasional ensemble gigs at the Van Dyke Café. The band
may start out on a faithful Cannonball Adderly-styled tip, casually working
its way through some pleasant finger-snapping material. But just when you've
eased back in your chair and gotten comfy, Jones will blow a playfully
outré lick, simultaneously raising an eyebrow at the audience while
slipping in a series of discordant honks to summon the group to take it
up a notch. We're about to go somewhere special, Jones seems to be saying
to the room, and you're all invited to come along. "
Thirty years on the road (and at home), Jesse Jones, Jr. has
earned the nickname Jazzy J.R. from his legions of fans in the southeastern
United States. A hard-swinging reed player, Jesse is equally at-ease
on the alto, soprano and baritone saxophones, as well as flute. He combines
the hard-bop influence of Cannonball Adderley, the funk of Hank Crawford,
and the sweetness of Paul Desmond. Their influences may be detected within
Jesse's most original riffs.
Add to that some of the most unusual "scat" jazz singing when
Jesse sings "straight" or through his horns, and the jazz audiences go
wild. The humor is international in scope since these are not words but
rather sounds that move and groove with the music. His ability to captivate
the audience with the classics, and adapt them to his own swinging interpretations,
is legendary.
Miami
New Times "Best Jazz Club" 2006 Although you can catch jazz at various locations around the city these
days, there's only one place to hear consistently high-caliber jazz every
night of the week. Upstairs at the Van Dyke, an institution since its birth
along with the Van Dyke Café in 1994, continues to wow crowds with
a well-rounded lineup of talented players who come from around the globe
and span styles from samba to Southern roots. In addition to out-of-towners
such as the legendary Slide Hampton, Eddie Henderson, Frank Wess, James
Moody, and Randy Brecker, Upstairs features a rotating cast of regulars
such as Sammy Figueroa and His Latin Jazz Explosion, Grammy-winning jazz
violinist Federico Britos, and recent additions singers LeNard Rutledge
and Beatriz Malnic. Don Wilner, former principal bassist for the Miami
City Ballet and well-respected jazz man in his own right, runs the joint
and sits in frequently. Wilner attributes the club's success to its "happy
medium" of avant-garde and straight-ahead jazz, its location in the popular
Van Dyke Café on heavily trafficked Lincoln Road, and the unfailing
support of café owner Mark Soyka. Jazz aficionados can order from
the café's full menu, with appetizers such as bruschetta, crabcakes,
and quesadillas from $6.75 to $14; entrées such as fresh ravioli,
poached salmon, and goat cheese pizza from $9.25 to $24.75; sandwiches;
burgers; and a full bar. Unlike many live music venues in Miami, the cover
charge is modest and there is no drink minimum. "Basically I think all
we're trying to do is get the music paid for," Wilner says. Shows begin
at 9:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m., and midnight. Sundays through Thursdays the cover
is $6; it's $11 Fridays and Saturdays. Check the online calendar for upcoming
shows and special events.
Miami New Times "Best Jazz Club" 2005
"Under the able musical direction of bassist Don Wilner, Upstairs at
the Van Dyke remains Miami's premier jazz club. No other venue comes
close in terms of consistency -- 365 days per year. (Check the
Website for calendars and newsletters.) And in terms of consistently
high quality, nothing can match the club's rotating cast of regulars:
Wilner, Mike Orta, Rose Max, Wendy Pedersen, Goetz Kujack, Sammy Figueroa,
Turk Mauro, José Negroni. If they're not onstage, you'll likely
find a well-known visiting artist. Among those Wilner has brought to the
comfortable room above Mark Soyka's landmark café: John Abercrombie,
Eric Alexander, Harry Allen, Mose Allison, Freddy Cole, George Coleman,
Kenny Drew, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Tania Maria, James Moody, Mark
Murphy, Houston Person, Norman Simmons, Grady Tate, Toots Thielemans, and
Cedar Walton. "
Jazz Calander for July 2006
.
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