Is This Jazz? Be-Bop on the Breeze

If leaves could choose a type of music to accompany their fall to the ground, they’d choose jazz. And every fall, RI accommodates their last wish with a swinging soundtrack.

Newport has a good slate of music coming up. Norey’s continues its weekly Thursday night jazz series featuring a rotating cast of ensembles including the Alan Bernstein Jazz Quartet, the John Monllos Quartet and the Dino Govoni Q’tet. Every week from 10am – 1pm the Chris Vaillancourt Trio presents a Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Hotel Viking. And The Parlor in Newport is hosting the Swinglane Orchestra every third Wednesday of the month, a great chance to see a big band live.

The Pumphouse in Wakefield is bringing back its First Sunday Jazz Series, which kicks off on September 9 with Sonic Surfers featuring Dan Moretti on sax, Steve DeConti on guitar, David Zinno on bass and Marty Richards on drums. Head up north to Woonsocket, and you’ll find plenty of jazzy beats at Chan’s. September 22 will host the homecoming concert of jazz guitar master and recent RI Music Hall Of Fame inductee Frank Potenza with a quartet featuring Paul Bouley on keys, brother Joe Potenza on bass and John Anter on drums. November 16 will see the Debra Mann Quintet take the stage with Dino Govoni on sax/flute, Jay Azzolina on guitar, Dave Zinno on bass and Marty Richards on drums. They’ll be celebrating the release of their latest CD, Full Circle, which features the music of Joni Mitchell.

Providence has soul, and even more killer music. Askew Restaurant continues its jazz offerings with the Dave Murphy Quartet on September 15. The Joe Potenza Quartet returns to Backstage Kitchen + Bar at Hotel Providence featuring world class musician and Cumberland native Cory Pesaturo. Also, the “Is This Jazz?” series continues its run at AS220 with a couple of fall shows including Baba Yaga and the Luna Collective on October 5, as well as Pocket Aces, which features local favorite guitarist Eric Hofbauer, and the ITJ Collective on November 2. Lastly, The Veterans Memorial Auditorium will be hosting award-winning trumpet player and international superstar Chris Botti on October 3. Visit thevetsri.com for tickets and details.

Happening Around Town:

The John Allmark Jazz Orchestra; first Monday monthly @ The Met (Pawtucket)

Is This Jazz?; first Friday bimonthly @ AS220 (Providence) isthisjazz.tumblr.com

Groove Merchants; Mondays @ Fifth Element (Newport)

Jazz Jam; Tuesdays @ Ten Rocks (Pawtucket)

Groove E Tuesday; Tuesdays @ Murphy’s Law (Pawtucket)

Jazz At The Parlour; Sundays (jam held every third Sunday) @ The Parlour (Providence)

Modern Sound Series; last Sunday monthly @ Tea In Sahara (Providence)

Leland Baker Quartet; Wednesdays @ Acacia Club (Providence)

 To add your listing email isthisjazzri@gmail.com. Ben Shaw is a local composer and performer. Find him at ahueofshaw.tumblr.com.