Fall In The 8495, Part 2: So Much News!
New records, a beloved musician dies, venerable club for sale
New Haven Jazz Underground founder Nick Di Maria is among the regional jazz artists with new records out. SKYLAB is Nick’s 17th release. (photo courtesy Nick Di Maria)
Every once in a while, we like to share the latest jazz recordings made by artists who either live in the 8495 or who play here regularly. And, hey, it’s that time again!
Jen Allen, Possibilities
We featured Jen, one of the region’s busiest pianists, and her new album, her third, in an 8495Jazz post over the summer. The album’s official release date was August 22, and it’s available from the Truth Revolution Recording Collective label here.
“I feel a lot of possibilities and I think everybody needs to be able to see more of them,” Jen told 8495Jazz. “I hope this music is an offering to encourage people that when life feels very narrow and people are against you – it feels like everybody is against one another – really, that is not the truth. That narrative is not real. The hopefulness is what I am trying to get through.”
Possibilities features musicians very familiar to fans in the region: Matt Dwonszyk on bass, Jonathan Barber on drums, Dan Liparini on guitar, and Leala Cyr and Alejandra Sofia on vocals.
Nick Di Maria, SKYLAB
Nick, the founder and visionary behind the very active New Haven Jazz Underground, released his latest, SKYLAB, August 23. It’s Nick’s 17th release!
“SKYLAB is the culmination of nearly 15 years of musical development, combining multiple stylistic approaches into a unique and original sound,” the album’s release notes say. All eight songs on the album, which was recorded at New Haven’s Firehouse 12 studio, are originals by Nick.
In addition to Nick on trumpet, the band includes Mike Schmidt on saxophone, Andrew Kosiba on Fender Rhodes, Miho Sasaki on piano, Andrew Zwart on electric bass, Matt Dwonszyk on upright bass, and Avery Collins on drums.
Nick also brought in a couple of his renowned trumpet playing mentors on this album: Dr. Eddie Henderson wrote the liner notes and Jeremy Pelt produced four of the tracks.
SKYLAB is available at Nick’s Bandcamp page here.
Tony Davis, Jessamine
Jessamine Street sits just about on the West Hartford-Hartford line, and guitarist Tony, son of renowned jazz musicians Steve Davis and Mary DiPaola, grew up on it. He pays homage to his origins with the album, scheduled for full release Nov. 14.
Tony will be playing an album pre-release show at Hartford’s Real Art Ways Sunday, Oct. 5. Longtime friends, collaborators and Hartford natives Jonathan Barber (drums) and Matt Dwonszyk (bass) join him, along with Chris McCarthy (piano), Matt Knoegel (saxophone), and Daniel Prim (percussion).
The first two singles from the album, “Cumbia de las Caras” and “Trinkets From Mars,” are now out on Apple Music and on YouTube.
Tony sat down with 8495Jazz for an extended conversation and you can read it in next week’s edition.
Benny Benack III, This Is The Life
Benny, also known as BB3, is based in New York City, but plays many of the 8495’s venues on the regular (he’ll be at Regattabar in Boston Oct. 10) – and he is one of the 8495Jazz staff’s favorite lounge lizards (we mean that in the very best way). This Is The Life was recorded in 2024 at The Blue Llama in Ann Arbor, MI, and released at the end of June. On trumpet and vocals both, BB3 is, in the term of old-timey New York club denizens, “a top-notch entuhtainuh!”
This Is The Life is available on Benny’s site here.
Parkville’s Been Productive
Steve Cusano and the team at Hartford’s Parkville Sounds have been busy – they have just announced four new songs recorded, mixed, and mastered at the studio. Among that music is some lovely smooth pop with a bit of George Benson-like breezin’ from Liv Fenton, “Finding My Way;” Lee Mixashawn Rozie’s reflections on the illusions of the status-driven culture, De De Um Da Da; and the soulful groove of vocalist Charmagne Tripp with “Waiting For” and “Cloud 9,” both recorded live at Parkville.
Rest In Peace, Akiko
The jazz community lost a beloved figure last Saturday with the death of organist Akiko Tsuruga, who was 58 and died after a short illness. Based in New York, Akiko played many dates up this way. In his tribute to Akiko on Facebook, Uncle Cheef owner Ian Hendrickson-Smith said he thought she took the stage at the former Brewster club more than any other performer.
“She embodied all the great things in music that we treasure,” Ian said. “She always showed up to play, was always wonderful to be around and truly lifted the room with her energy and positive vibes. This loss cuts deep.”
We extend our sympathies to all of Akiko’s friends and colleagues, and to her husband, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, with whom she often appeared.
You Can Be An Impresario! Chan’s Is For Sale
Ever dream about running a jazz club? Now’s your chance.
John Chan, owner of his family’s namesake Chinese restaurant and club in Woonsocket, RI, is ready to retire and has officially listed the venue for sale.
The restaurant side of the house is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year; John Chan added live music in 1977, shortly after he graduated from Providence College. The club has hosted the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Leon Redbone, and Rhode Island native Duke Robillard, among other giants.
The business and building can be bought together or separately, and the music will go on until the sale is done.
“If I can find someone that has a similar interest to what I’ve done for the last five decades, that’d be ideal,” John told the local news outlet The Valley Breeze. “But once I sell it, I don’t have control over it.”
You want to know more about specifics? It’s listed with Realtor Garrett Mancieri.
Regular visitor to the 8495 Benny Benack III has a new record out, This Is The Life, recorded live at the Blue llama in Ann Arbor, MI. He’ll be in Boston at Regattabar Oct. 10.
Out and About with 8495Jazz
These listings are a curated sampling of shows in the region. As an independent resource for jazz news, 8495Jazz does not receive any consideration, free tickets, or affiliate fees for these listings. Please confirm events are still happening directly with the venue.
8495Jazz Wild Card Gig of the Week
Northampton Jazz Festival (various venues), Northampton, MA
Free jazz all day Saturday (Sept. 27)! Jazz strut Friday night (Sept. 26). Ticketed show finale with New York Voices at the Academy of Music, 7 pm Saturday. Featured performers include Zaccai Curtis, Mike LeDonne, Miki Yamanaka, Ed Fast & Congabop and more. Hey, the fall yard work is still a couple weeks away. If the 8495Jazz staff weren’t already headed for another gig Saturday, we’d be cruising up I-91 for this!
8495Jazz Spur of the Moment Gig TODAY
The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
Ricky Ford Quartet (sax, combo), 7:30 pm. Free ($30 suggested donation).
Other Shows This Week
VFW Post 399, Westport, CT
Amina Figarova (piano), Thursday, Sept. 25, 7:30 and 8:45 pm. GA $10.76-$20.76, student/vets $15.76 for 7:30 show.
The Falcon, Marlboro, NY
Bad Penny Pleasuremakers (New Orleans trad), Sunday, Sept. 28, 7:30 pm. Free ($30 suggested donation).
Elicit Brewing Co., Manchester, CT
Hartford Jazz Orchestra, Monday, Sept. 22, 7:30 pm. Free.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford, CT
Nat Reeves Trio (bass, combo), “Jazz At The Red Door,” Friday, Sept. 26, 7:30 pm. Free ($20 suggested donation).
Webster Walk, Blue Back Square, West Hartford, CT
WeHa United in Jazz, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2 pm, featuring Carl Cox (sax). Free.
Groton Hill Music Center, Groton, MA
Hiromi’s Sonic Wonder (piano, combo), Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 pm. GA $49-$59 including service fees. (Low ticket alert)
Scullers, Boston, MA
Steven Feifke/Blue Lou Marini (piano, ax), Saturday, Sept. 27, 7 and 9 pm. GA $36.85-$59.25 including service fee.
The Side Door, Old Lyme, CT
Bill Charlap trio (piano, combo), Thursday, Sept. 25-Sunday, Sept. 28, all shows 8 pm. GA $65.04, students $33.27 including service fee.
Jams
Cafe Nine, New Haven CT
New Haven Jazz Underground jam, usually 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month: free admission
Saturday jazz jam most Saturdays, 4 pm. Free.
Blackeyed Sally’s, Hartford, CT
Jazz Wednesdays, featured set 7 pm, jam session afterward.
Carmine’s, East Hartford, CT
Paisley’s All Star Memorial Jam, 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:30 pm. House band set followed by jam. Free.
Mahoney’s, Poughkeepsie, NY
Poughkeepsie Jazz Project, every Tuesday, 7 pm. Free.
Park Cuty Music Hall, Bridgeport, CT
Scott Cushman and Friends followed by jam, first Wednesday of the month.
Jazz Societies and Organizations (great info on events, festivals, and more)
Jazz Society of Fairfield County
Jazz Fridays at Three Sheets New Haven 1st/3rd Fridays from 6-9pm
Jazz Thursdays at The Cannon New Haven every other Thurs from 7-9pm.
8495Jazz takes its name from the two Interstate highways that cross our region, I-84 and I-95. Within short driving distances from either, you can find incredible entertainment, from local jams to world-famous festivals in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. 8495Jazz: From Newburgh to Newport!
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