Airwaves

by Brian Goslow

The New England Science Center's 1997 Jazz at Sunset series concludes next Friday, August 15, with a benefit concert for public-radio broadcaster WICN. The event features Ed Saindon and Swing, who according to WICN jazz director Stephen Charbonneau, will feature a who's who of New England jazz, including Dick Johnson, Herb Pomeroy, bassist Barry Smith, and Matt Gordy ("a really fine drummer"). "He'll be performing music by Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman along with compositions by Gershwin and Fats Waller." For more details, call WICN at 752-0700.

Between on-air checks, Charbonneau runs down his favorite summer releases, starting with Anthony Wilson's self-titled debut (Mama). "He's the son of big-band orchestra leader Gerald Wilson. He's a young guitar player, but clearly has an ear and heart for the history of the music. He's not trying to emulate those who've come before him. He's putting a fresh sound to it." Two other guitar-based recordings attracting a lot of attention are Joshua Breakstone's Let's Call This Monk (Double-Time), a tribute to Thelonius Monk, and the Ron Affif Trio's Ringside (Pablo), recorded in front of a live audience at Berkeley, California's Fantasy Studios.

For Latin jazz fans, Charbonneau recommends Eliane Elias's The Three Americas (Blue Note), which features three Antonio Carlos Jobim compositions. "She surrounded herself with superior musicians, including Oscar Castro Neves and Dave Valentin." The pianist appears at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in Connecticut on August 17.

Who says big bands are dead? J.J. Johnson's The Brass Band (Verve) features a swinging high-energy all-star band. "The music is just outstanding. Fred Hampton and Tom Everett conduct the orchestra with a rhythm section featuring pianist Renee Roseness, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Victor Lewis." Charbonneau's almost willing to guarantee big-band fans would love the disc, especially the tracks "Why Indianapolis? Why not Indianapolis" and "El Camino Rael (The Great Road)."

Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter reunite on 1 + 1 (Verve). "It's the first time they've been together in the studio since the A Tribute to Miles album in 1994. Their approach to playing comes having played with Miles Davis. There's improvisation, melodic lyricism, and spontaneity."

Joe Sample's Sample This (Warner Bros.) includes updated versions of material from the keyboardist's solo career and time with the Crusaders. "The material spans from 1970 to 1982 and is by no means a greatest-hits collection. Every artist likes the opportunity to revisit his work. You start to hear different things in your music. There's a couple of things that might scare off a few jazz fans, but it's worth checking out."

Tenor Saxophonist Houston Person's Lost and Found (32 Jazz) features material from the '70s and early '90s. "A new up-and-coming company bought out Muse Records and were shocked to learn this material had never been released on CD, so they made it one of their first orders of business. It really works, especially `The Secret Slumber Sessions' that feature [pianist] Charles Brown."

Recent local releases include Artie Barsamian's Boston Big Band's Everything Happens to Me (SeaSide), which features Tony D'Aveni and Jerry Seeco, and some fancy scatting and guitar picking by John Baboian on "The Berklee Shuffle." New England jazz pianists, including Dave McKenna, Bevan Manson, Chris Taylor, and Maggi Scott, contributed strong efforts to Keys to the City (Magnetic), a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. If you can't find it in the stores, contact Charbonneau when he hosts A Tasteful Blend Monday through Fridays from 6 to 10 a.m. on WICN (90.5 FM).