It’s not the mileage that’s remarkable, it’s the music.
By featuring artists who hail from New York and California, but who are originally from Brazil, Canada, France, Brooklyn and Joplin, Missouri, this summer’s Farrell Family Jazz series at La Jolla’s Athenaeum spans a large part of the globe. But more important is the wide spectrum of musical styles that the series covers.
It’s appropriate for the series to begin with a surprising combination of talent: the duo of New York pianist Kenny Werner and Brazilian-born, Bay Area-based singer Claudia Villela. Their collaboration on the album “Dreamtales” in late 2004 is completely improvised, as they fluidly travel through American and Brazilian musical genres. A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviewer called “Dreamtales” “understated, mysterious “¦ boasting Brazilian accents and a bebop flair.”
Villela, who has a multi-octave range and is often compared to Bobby McFerrin, demonstrated her vocal dexterity, musical chops and infectious exuberance at an Athenaeum concert at the San Diego Studio two years ago with guitarist Ricardo Peixoto. Pianist Werner has pleased Athenaeum audiences on several occasions, the most recent being in April 2005 when he performed with Toots Thielemans and Oscar Castro-Neves. Villela and Werner appear at the Athenaeum tonight, June 15.
In 2004, New York-based Frenchman Jean-Michel Pilc and his trio generated a lot of heat at his all-fired-up San Diego debut concert. Their innovative renditions of standards, technical excellence and unique compositions were warmly and delightedly received. In fact, the venue ” downtown’s Dizzy’s ” had Pilc back in March 2005, albeit with a substitute (and inferior) rhythm section. On Tuesday, June 20 ” his first time at the Athenaeum ” Pilc will be joined by his original cohorts, Francois Moutin on bass and Ari Hoenig on drums. Athenaeum regulars may remember Hoenig when he drummed with Werner in 2004.
A familiar face ” and musical spirit ” will grace the Athenaeum on Thursday, June 29, when bassist, composer, electronic improviser and all-around maverick Lisle Ellis performs with his group, Audible Means. The band has a formidable lineup with such internationally renowned, San Diego-based musicians as Mike Wofford on piano, Holly Hofmann on flute and Ellen Weller on saxophone (who also plays with Ellis in the critically acclaimed Trummerflora Collective). The group is rounded out by L.A.-based innovator Amy Knoles on live electronic percussion.
Another surprising and altogether satisfying combination of talent, this ensemble is from all over the geographic and musical map.Vancouver born and bred, Ellis resided in San Diego until relocating to New York last year. He is dovetailing his appearance with his participation as an instructor in the UCSD Jazz Camp, which begins June 26. Ellis has collaborated with many of the greats of experimental music, including Cecil Taylor, Paul Plimley, Paul Bley, Myra Melford and Marilyn Crispell. This is his Athenaeum debut, but he appeared several times at the now-defunct Spruce Street Forum.
Finishing up the series with a flourish on Thursday, July 6, is the Charles McPherson Quartet. Born in Joplin, Missouri, McPherson is a longtime San Diego resident who tours all over the world and returns to the Athenaeum after a gap of nine years. On the jazz scene for more than 45 years, the 60-something saxophonist is considered one of the best on his instrument, as well as an accomplished composer and bandleader. He frequently guests at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center. A 2005 article in Jazz Times by local critic George Varga said that McPherson’s music is “a felicitous blend of urbane sophistication and youthful passion that combines fire and finesse in equal measure.”
From a melding of Brazilian and bebop, harmonic innovation, cutting-edge experimentation and legendary saxophone wizardry, this summer series should more than satisfy the musical cravings of any adventurous concert-goer.
Farrell Family Jazz at the Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St. in La Jolla. Series tickets are $64 for Athenaeum members, $84 for non-members, single tickets $18/$23. Claudia Villela and Kenny Werner, tonight; Jean-Michel Pilc Trio, Tuesday, June 20; Lisle Ellis’ Audible Means, Thursday, June 29; and Charles McPherson Quartet, Thursday, July 6. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets and information call (858) 454-5872.