April 29, 2003 – May's Jazz Vespers concert this Sunday at the St Croix Reformed Church will feature Hot Clave Bop from Philadelphia led by St. Croix musician Dan Dixon and augmented by Crucians Teddy Blackwood and Junie Bomba.
Dixon, who plays guitar and steelpan and is also a composer and arranger, formed Hot Clave Bop in 1992. The band's sound is a blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and bebop/swing. The group performed at St. Croix's 1993 jazz festival and also has appeared at such jazz meccas as the Newport Jazz Festival (1994), the Lake George (New York) Jazz Festival (headliner, 1994) and the Mellon Jazz Festival in Pittsburgh (opening for Tito Puente, 1995), as well as at concerts throughout the United States.
The band's two albums, "Hot Clave Bop" and "Ready Set Groove," won praise from JazzTimes, JAZZIZ and Cadence magazines and The Philadelphia Inquirer:
JazzTimes' reviewer of "Hot Clave Bop" wrote that "despite the CD's title, the music is actually quite cool, soft and subtle, even while swinging with passion."
And the Cadence critic opined: "Salsa and calypso exercise the strongest influences on Dixon's music, but the band never contents itself with rote renditions of recognizable styles; rather, it blends and bends with the music … A solid ensemble worth seeking out either on this disc or live."
Here's a quick look at the musicians who'll be playing Sunday:
Dixon (steelpan, guitar) has been performing for 35 years. A teacher, arranger and composer as well as a musician, he studied steelpan with Ellie Mannette, Robert Greenidge (Jimmy Buffet Band), Andy Narell, Jeff Narell and legendary Trinidadian arranger Ray Holman. He received the Lionel Hampton Award for composition in 1994. He and his wife, Amy, St. Croix residents since August 2000, perform as a duo, Jazz The Two Of Us.
Andrew Neu (alto and soprano saxophone, flute) is active on the Philadelphia music scene as a player, arranger, composer and session artist. He has worked with The Four Tops, The Temptations, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Randy Brecker and Nestor Torres. He also fronts his own band, The Andrew Neu Group, and in 2000 recorded a solo contemporary jazz CD, "Inspire."
Jeff Niess (vibraphone) is sought after in Philadelphia's Latin jazz circles. He has composed and co-written many songs for Hot Clave Bop and other artists. His four-mallet technique has received rave reviews from such contemporaries as Dave Samuels and Tito Puente. Last year, he recorded his first CD as a leader, "Evolution," featuring pianist Jose Anaya.
Jim Touchton (bass) recently returned to the Philadelphia/New York jazz scene after working for a year in Nashville. A top bass jazz soloist today, he studied with greats John Patitucci and Victor Wooten. His expert artistry in Afro-Cuban, funk and swing make him a first call on many musicians' lists.
Jerry Fields (drums) is music director for Vecinos del Mundo ("World Neighbors"), an Atlanta Latin jazz group that has opened for Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. His musical credits include CD's, movie soundtracks, television, jingles, cabaret, theatre, world music, and orchestral work. He has studied with renowned conguero Giovanni Hildago and Santana percussionists Raul Rekow and Karl Perazzo.
Teddy Blackwood (conga/percussion) has studied with African master drummers Chief Bey and Babatunde Olatunji. He toured Canada with The Mighty Sparrow and has worked with jazz greats Herbie Mann, Jimmy Hamilton, Ray Barretto, Jon Lucien and Najee. He recorded with Jamaican band leader Ron Barrige.
Junie Bomba (bongo/percussion) provided no background information.
Jazz Vespers concerts are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. They offer an opportunity for families to spend a early evening out together enjoying first-rate live jazz in a smoke-free, alcohol-free environment. Young people especially are encouraged to chat with the musicians at the reception following the concert.
And coming up: The June 1 Jazz Vespers concert will be by Stan Joines and the Central High School Jazz Combo; the July 6 one will feature drummer Dave McKean.
The St. Croix Reformed Church is located on the hill above the Kingshill Post Office. For more information, call Willard Fields at 719-3672 or Pastor Rod Koopmans at 778-0520, or e-mail to Jazz Vespers.
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