Jazz 98.5 FM, WSAX-LP is continuing its fundraising mission to purchase permanent broadcast antenna equipment. This weekend, the station will be holding a Weekend Fundraiser at The Idle-A-While, 6068 Channingway Boulevard, 43232. The venue is offering three days of great live music and American cuisine and will donate a portion of their proceeds from all shows to WSAX-LP. There is no cover charge, but donations will be happily accepted (donations can also be made online here). Come see smooth jazz titans Urban Jazz Coalition on Friday, April 21st at 8pm, groove jazz outfit Hosea’s State of Mind on Saturday at 6pm, R&B party band The L.A. Band featuring Meridith Evans on Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday Supper & Jazz with saxophonist Michael Kahn Sunday at 2pm. Visit The Idle-A-While website for reservations (strongly encouraged) and more information. Enjoy your weekend while supporting local radio, local musicians and local business!
WSAX-LP is also continuing its push to be heard clearly throughout its Franklin County broadcast area as defined by its FCC license. The major issue is that another low power FM station using the 98.5 FM frequency, WINF-LP in Delaware, Ohio, can be heard much further than its FCC license allows, creating powerful interference with the WSAX-LP broadcast. WSAX-LP is asking listeners and local jazz fans to sign a petition asking the FCC to investigate WINF-LP to determine whether they are violating low power FM rules. Help resolve this interference and give Columbus the full-time, full-strength jazz radio station that it needs! Please click on the following link to sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-winf-interference.
A Jazz Night Out
Rick Sanford and I had a great time seeing the Charlie Hunter Trio at Natalie’s on Wednesday, April 12th. As part of a Spring tour that included two nights at this excellent listening room, 7- and 8-string guitar master Hunter was joined by Michael Blake on soprano and tenor sax and George Sluppick on drums, a new lineup for Hunter that was up to the challenge. The program for the evening was mostly tunes from 2016’s Everybody Has A Plan Until They Get Punched In The Mouth, and it was a special experience for me to hear a new album I was familiar with somewhat reimagined with new personnel. The opening title track highlighted this shift, and Blake made up for the reduced headcount with a wailing, soulful solo and playing backing parts on soprano and tenor simultaneously, bringing to mind Columbus’ own Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Hunter also added bits to his already stout role of playing lead and chords throughout the night, including a slippery echo on a chorus that gave the material a new edge. While his bluesy originals were the main feature, he also included some invigorating covers, like a Sluppick-powered blues shuffle on 2Pac and Dr. Dre’s “California Love” (!) and a take on a King Curtis tune that ended the first set with a soulful boogie finding Hunter and Blake in fine form. It was excellent to see Hunter in such an intimate, great-sounding room again – keep coming back, Charlie!
Shows To See This Week
Sunday, April 23rd (6 – 8pm): Bobby Floyd Showcase: Bobby Floyd Trio CD Celebration at Notes. Wrapping up a big weekend of jazz at this live music destination, after John Ellis & Double-Wide Friday and a star-studded Ella Fitzgerald tribute Saturday is a special installment of the Bobby Floyd Showcase. The weekly showcase and jam session hosted by pianist Floyd (as long as he’s not on tour) and his longtime bandmates Derek DiCenzo (bass, guitar) and Reggie Jackson (drums) has been providing spirited intimate performances every Sunday night, and this week is no exception. The featured guest this time, however, is the material, not a musician, as the trio will share music from its upcoming piano trio album. This is the first chance for audiences to hear these tunes, recorded by Mark Abrams at Vaughn Music Studios in Columbus and mixed with Jeff Ciampa, so join the fun! Advance tickets are available here. Stay tuned for release details, including an album review on our site.
Wednesday, April 26th (8 – 11pm): Animal Mother at Brothers Drake. Jazz Wednesdays welcomes its second consecutive Cincinnati band when this “garage jazz” outfit hits Wednesday night. The trio of Josh Kline on tenor sax, Jon Massey on bass, and Matt McAllister on drums is preparing the release of its second album Golf, following up 2015’s The Youth Will Rule! While known to celebrate works of popular song of many stripes, the group is primarily focused these days on McAllister’s original tunes. The band identifies with the “garage jazz” moniker because “their songs mix the screaming aesthetic of punk rock coupled with free improvisation.” Come see two sets of wild and original free jazz for free!
Thursday, April 27th (6 – 7:30pm): Jazz ‘N Juice Series: Kate Ross at Brookdale Lakeview Crossing, Groveport. This neighborhood senior living community is offering its first annual monthly jazz series featuring a selection of Central Ohio’s premier jazz talent. Kicking off the schedule is esteemed Columbus vocalist Ross, known for masterful interpretations of popular song and passionate performances. Admission and refreshments are free! The series continues into Summer with vocalist Mary McClendon on May 25th and trumpeter/vocalist Dean Simms on June 29th. Call 614-836-5990 for more details.
Have a great week! Check out videos of these artists in action: