Sunday, May 8th, is Mother’s Day, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the mothers in your life with jazz. There are a total of five brunch options, including dependable weekly gigs from the Erik Augis Trio at 3rd and Hollywood in Grandview and Birdshack at The Crest at Clintonville, both running from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Pianist Lucas Holmes will be playing solo at Copious (the restaurant above Notes) from 10am to 2pm, Tom Carroll and Doug Richeson will entertain at Natalie’s from noon to 2pm, and Jeff McCargish plays at Barcelona, also from noon to 2pm. Later in the day, Anna & The Consequences will play their jazzy torch blues at the weekly Jazz Affair at Maria’s Lounge in Reynoldsburg from 4 to 8pm, a gig they’ll reprise for Father’s Day. Music returns to Barcelona for the dinner hour as Paul Marsh plays from 6 to 8pm, and drummer Joe Ong and his band will help you end the day in style at Dick’s Den from 8pm to midnight. Thanks to all of the mothers out there!
Shows To See This Week
Thursday, May 5th (8 – 10pm): The Friends Quartet: “Jazz Through the Ages” at McConnell Arts Center, Worthington. This quartet of some of Columbus’ finest jazz musicians will be exploring noteworthy compositions from throughout the vast history of jazz. The band’s lineup is Tony Hagood on piano, Bradley Mellen on bass, Chris Hoyte on saxophone, and Zach Compston on drums. The program includes tunes by Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Horace Silver, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Joshua Redman’s Elastic Band, the Bad Plus, as well as original compositions by the band members. This should be a unique chance to learn more about the pieces that inspire today’s musicians. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door.
Friday, May 6th (10pm – 2am): Bob Niederriter Quartet at Dick’s Den. The Kent-based guitarist has played less Central Ohio gigs recently than in the past, but 2016 sees a fair amount of local shows returning to his schedule. He will be joined by an all-star local quartet, with Tony Monaco on organ, Roger Hines on bass, and Gregory “The Governor” Pearson on drums. With this lineup, expect an excellent mix of classic and soul jazz tunes with plenty of groove. Cover is likely $5.
Wednesday, May 11th (5:30 – 8:30pm): Arnett Howard and Mike Roberts at Barbeque Shack, Westerville. Local “Creole Funk” legend Howard will pair his trumpet with Mike Roberts’ saxophone to start another season of free weekly outdoor gigs at this Maxtown Road BBQ restaurant. Roberts, a longtime collaborator of Howard’s, also has an old school soulful vibe, and has traveled nationally with Rick James and the Stone City Band, The Ohio Players, and Slave. Come enjoy this smooth and soulful duo with some tasty BBQ! Look out for rain – these shows are weather permitting.
Have a great week! Here’s a recent taste of Niederriter in action with another Central Ohio organist, Jon Eshelman: