CAROL SUDHALTER'S ASTORIA JAZZ BAND AT SHUTTERS

A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT AT SHUTTERS BAR and RESTAURANT
by ROM FERRI

I heard Carol Sudhalter's 13-piece Astoria Jazz Band at a club called Shutters on West 34th Street on Saturday, March 29. This was the last in a series of Saturdays devoted to Women's History Month. Carol is a baritone saxophonist and bandleader, in New York since late 1970s, and leading a big band since 1985. Three trumpets, 4 saxes, a trombone, bass bone and rhythm section including both piano and guitar - this is a slightly abbreviated version of the usual 16-piece big band. Sweet, mellow swinging arrangements by Charlie Camilleri. New arrangements by band tenor saxophonist Stan Bielski. Very original and moving vocal interpretations by Marti Mabin. Big band soloists were right on top of it, especially Charles Lee on Close your Eyes. Carol Sudhalter's baritone sax solos displayed a great deal of warmth plus solid rhythmic and melodic individuality, and a beautiful baritone sound. The warm, close atmosphere of this historic jazz room offered an acoustic and a vibe that made for a pleasant and most unforgettable evening.

Carol Sudhalter and Friends at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola

I caught Carol Sudhalter's sextet at the Upstarts! Monday night series of the Diet Coke Women in Jazz Festival at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola of New York's prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center.
What a group! To knock your socks off.
Started off with Sudhalter in duet with bassist Dmitri Kolesnik on "Will You Still Be Mine". The band joined in at the bridge, and from there the tune set the house on fire! Wailin' solos by all...
Vocalist Myrna Lake,in vocalese, together with trombonist Jack Davis, and Sudhalter on flute, did a melodic and exciting version of "In Walked Bud" by Thelonius Monk. Melody chorus was followed by swinging solos by Sudhalter on flute, Lake scatting, an exciting dialogue of the two of them together; and finally a solo by Davis, and out.
Other highlights were the beautiful "In the Wee Small Hours" (Sudhalter on baritone, the lovely and poetic Joe Tranchina on piano), the very lyrical Franz Lehar tune "Yours is My Heart Alone", and a rockin' blues finale led by Lake with solos by all.
Drummer Tootsie Bean was the epitome of a great and warmly beating heart.
This is a group to remember. Full house, warm reception, many congrats are in order.

F.F. Kraft

CAROL SUDHALTER ITALIAN TOUR

Carol Sudhalter, saxophonist/flautist, who played at the unique Giulio Cesare Hall of Campidoglio in January, has an extensive Italian tour this summer. Her dates include the beautiful Castello Scipione, July 17; and at least 5 festivals throughout the North of Italy. See her website www.sudhalter.com for details.

F.F.Kraft

'SHADES OF CAROL', NEW IN ROME, CAROL SUDHALTER

This interesting compilation CD reflects the many sides of Carol Sudhalter, multi-reeds player. Alfa Music, with distribution by RAI Trade and EGEA, released this month, includes tunes by Tad Dameron, Cedar Walton, Carol Sudhalter, Tore Spano. Vocal selections recorded at a separate session April 2004 in Milan include the work of the fine singer Marta J.,Stefania Martinelli (especially noteworthy, Strayhorn's Lotus Blossom with a lush tenor solo subtoned by Sudhalter). Well worth looking into. For special orders in this country write to: info@alfamusic.com.

'SHADES OF CAROL': CAROL SUDHALTER CD NEW IN ROME

Reeds player Carol Sudhalter has a new release on Alfa Music in Rome this month, June 2005. Recorded in two sessions April 2004 (Milan) and December 2004 (Rome), and also including excerpts from former CDs, this compilation shows many sides and colors of Carol's very interesting work on flute, tenor sax and baritone sax -- and is aptly called "Shades of Carol".

Works include tunes by Tad Dameron, Cedar Walton, Carol Sudhalter, Tore Spano, Strayhorn. Milan session features the excellent vocal stylings of singer "Marta J", Stefania Martinelli, one of Italy's foremost.

All together a good bargain. Will soon be available on CD baby. For special orders and info, write to info@alfamusic.com.

FF Kraft

NEW JAZZ BOOK BY W.ROYAL STOKES INCLUDES MANY WOMEN MUSICIANS

Celebrated author and music critic W. Royal Stokes latest release on Oxford University Press, "Growing Up With Jazz" contains profiles of twenty-four jazz musicians, including saxohonists CAROL SUDHALTER, George Botts, Claire Daly, John Firmin, Howard Johnson, and Britisher Ray Gelato; clarinetists Don Byron and Evan Christopher; singers Jane Monheit, René Marie, Lisa Sokolov, Nora York, Netherlands-based Oklahoma native Shaunette Hildabrand, and the late Pam Bricker; pianists Billy Taylor, Armen Donelian, Patrizia Scascitelli, René van Helsdingen, and Uri Caine; bassist Leonard Gaskin; drummer Art Blakey; guitarist Monnette Sudler; Indonesian violinist Luluk Purwanto; and Umbria Jazz festival producer Carlo Pagnotta.

For Italy, you can buy it here: http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/BUS/r_BIO00400/p_1/Composers_&_Musicians.htm

CAROL SUDHALTER GRANT AWARDEE QUEENS WOMEN COMPOSERS

Carol Sudhalter, multi-reeds player and director of the Astoria Jazz Band, received a grant from Queens Council on the Arts this year to collect (by interview), arrange, and present the music of women composers of Queens.
The venue for the concert will be Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, and the date Nov.18, 2005.
She is avidly pursuing this project, and plans to include the very gifted pianist/vocalist/composer Emme Kemp, whose tunes and lyrics are most captivating; organist Sarah McLawler; Lil Hardin Armstrong; the late (pianist) Jutta Hipp, composer of the tune "Horacio"; and many more.
Sudhalter herself just returned from a 3-week stint in Rome, Italy where she did an exceptional performance: the Aula Giulio Cesare at Campidoglio, a beautiful structure designed by Michelangelo, serving as Rome City Hall. The only previous jazz concert held in this hall was that of Woody Allen, last year. At Aula Giulio Cesare, a major agreement between European countries was signed some months ago. The beauty and prestige of the hall led to Sudhalter being covered by every major newspaper in Rome, with photos.
On the same tour she recorded with Alfa Music, and performed at Alexanderplatz and New Orleans Cafe.
The history-making Campidoglio concert, however, was the focal point. Her accompanists in this concert were Roman pianist Silvia Manco, soon to visit New York; and bassist Guido Giacomini. Opposite Sudhalter's group was a sextet led by vocalist Simona Bedini, playing music from various film scores including that of "Schindler's List". This made a good contrast to the trio's more traditional selection of standard tunes, including "Ghost of a Chance", Cole Porter's "I Love You", and Franz Lehar's romantic "Yours is My Heart Alone" (which won the hearts of the audience).

FF Kraft, February 10, 2005