missoulajournal

Jazzoula 09, third night

An oft-mentioned essential element of quality jazz performance is the spark-igniting role improvisation plays to reach, and thus breath life into, an open-ended jazz composition.

Equally as important -- but often overlooked -- is how essential group communication and interplay is for the spark of one good solo to spread a flame to all ensuing solos.

Wednesday’s final set by the group 3D’s whose members -- Dexer Payne, David Horgan and Don Maus of Big Sky Mudflaps’ fame -- created an inspired fire on several levels and made it Wednesday’s most satisfying show,,, and perhaps the most insirped set of the festival to this point.

Though most of the almost capacity crowd had departed for the evening after viewing three spirited, and quality preceeding sets, it was the spark of familiarity and friendship between these experience master musicians that created the mood for collective improvisation on an artistically very high level.

The trio played several originals penned by the group members from earlier days as performers in the Mudflaps... and several compositions by well known American and Brazilian composers.

The set at times seemed blanketed in the warm rhythms of Brazilian sambas, particularly when Payne provided backing rhythm, once by scratching the surface of a music stand plate as Horgan soloed.

But no boundaries enclosed the trio’s music on this special evening and the audience gradually picked up on the emotive energy -- and densely intricate harmonics -- of the three musicians. It was almost as if the collective improvisation of these musicians reached the spellbound audience and drew them in, if not as musicians, then surely as participants.

Horgan was masterful on this evening. Missoulians have witnessed him become a jazz guitarist of the highest order over the years of countless local performances. But Payne and Maus were easily his equals, and each unraveled solos that drew from Horgan’s densely harmonic offerings... and then took the melodies even farther.

This was truly a magical set.

It was too bad more Missoulians couldn’t have witnessed this remarkable performance. Then again, perhaps the atmosphere created by this music on this night couldn’t have developed any other way.

Kudos to the 3D’s on a marvelous set.

NOTE: Over the past three years I’ve become quite taken by the Jazzoula Festival precisely because it celebrates the broad variety of local artists who’ve performed on Missoula’s local stage. The objective of the photos and mini-reviews at Missoula Journal is to provide just a hint of that variety. It is not the intent of this blog to provide a complete account of the festival.  Nor should it be implied that the acts featured herein are in some way profiled as better than artists not featured. Missoula Journal’s coverage of Jazzoula is merely a participation, by film and story, in the Jazzoula Music Festival. 

Jazzoula 09, second night

The highlight of the night two of Jazzoula for me was an eclectic and convivial set by the Donna Smith Band, which presented the final performance of the evening.

The trio -- which features Smith on vocals and guitar, Mike Freemole on base and Richard Ostheimer on drums -- unraveled an engaging mix of standards and two originals penned by Smith.

Most striking, and entertaining, were the unique stylistic touches the trio applied to several standards. Ever heard Thelonius Monk’s “Round Midnight,” interepreted rhythmically as a roots reggae anthem? The trio pulled it off marvelously, including some nice dub touches by Ostheimer, whose drumming was perfectly on top of, under, and right-on beat throughout. But Smith’s originals -- particularly her gardening song -- were equally as engaging. In fact, I can envision Smith making dramatic future strides as a performer when she can some day perform a full set of her originals.

Though I could make an attempt at comparing Smith’s vocal style to a number of famed jazz vocalists (Betty Carter came to mind most frequently), any attempt to do so would fall short. Smith has a truly unique vocal style that’s at once vulnerable, disarming and confessional, but also self-assured... perhaps because she’s so comfortable on stage. She seemed always fully at ease with her vocal delivery and the audience. And that meant everyone had fun, including several audience members who responded verbally to several of Smith’s between-song narrative descriptions of her music.

Part of the group’s energy can be attributed to the dynamic tension created by Smith and Freemole. The interplay between the two drove the ebb and flow of each song and the show as a whole. But the music became most fully realized as an ensemble performence as Smith became progressively absorbed in the music and lyrics of her presentation.

I could envision the group as a larger ensemble that would further move Smith front and center. Nonetheless, this is a local group worth searching out by Missoula music lovers.

The group has often performed at the Badlander on Sunday nights, but Smith said that no regular schedule is set for the summer months.

Make certain to catch them when you can.

NOTE: Over the past three years I’ve become quite taken by the Jazzoula Festival precisely because it celebrates the broad variety of local artists who’ve performed on Missoula’s local stage. The objective of the photos and mini-reviews at Missoula Journal is to provide just a hint of that variety. It is not the intent of this blog to provide a complete account of the festival.  Nor should it be implied that the acts featured herein are in some way profiled as better than artists not featured. Missoula Journal’s coverage of Jazzoula is merely a participation, by film and story, in the Jazzoula Music Festival. 

Jazzoula 09, first night

 The first night of Jazzoula, Missoula's annual spring music festival, got off to a convivial start with a relaxed set by the UM Grizzly Jazz sextet. That was followed by a series of two-song sets by several young female vocalists.

The set of the evening for me, though, was an engaging performance by young Missoula vocalist Margi Cates fronting a quartet of longstanding local musicians called The Smoking Jackets.

The give and takebetween Cates and saxophonist Pat Montgomery was polished and well paced. But it was Cates who won the crowd over. She's not only comfortable with her bandmates, but has a stage presence and charisma of a much older vocalist (she said she's 21).

It was a nice way to kick off the five-day festival.

A major festival improvement is the relocation of the bar to a tent just outside the auditorium. Last year performers and audience had to deal with the noise of non-music-listening attendees who were gathered around the bar.

The only glitch was minor: the stage was significantly under-lit, making it often difficult for musicians to read their music. Tough on the photographer as well.

PHOTOS: Above, vocalist Margi Cates. Middle, Cates and saxophonist Pat Montgomery. Bottom: Bassist Bill James.

Lance Boyd inducted into Blues & Jazz "Hall of Fame"

Story and photography by Glenn Junkert, MISSOULA JOURNAL

Less than a minute before 1 p.m. on Thursday in the basement band practice room #11  of the UM School of Music -- amid the cacophony of laughter, clatter and honking and squawking instruments -- a relaxed, animated, chatting assembly of the student members of the Jazz Band I is already seated and in place.

And so, when director-professor Lance Boyd appears on-the-dot at the center of the loosely aligned circle of student musicians, a stack of charts under his arm, the transition to an in-unison, and oddly musical flapping of thumbed pages of assorted music charts of Tonawanda Fats, by famed big band jazz composer-arranger Don Menza, is a punctuated, almost musical shuffling... and certainly a signal that this young group of student musicians is ready for some serious ensemble work.

Though Boyd addresses the students conversationally, almost paternally, without raising his voice, the tone has been set. And so, when he raises his arms for the first cue, the room is expectantly silent.

The charts are a challenge and Boyd interrupts repeatedly, correcting, questioning, explaining and sometimes verbally demonstrating the song’s rhythmic complexities with a half-spoken, half-sung, “Ba DAH, Ba-DAH, dum, te dum” demonstration before asking, “Got it? Okay, once again.” 

This is the band’s first time through the challenging big band chart. But with less than a month remaining before its presentation at the 29th Annual Buddy DeFranco UM Jazz Festival, (NOTE: DeFranco’s name was officially added in 2000) the atmosphere is workmanlike. And the students -- though sometimes puzzled, sometimes chagrined -- gradually breathe brightness, articulation and rhythm into the song.

Chase the winter blues with a bowl of Pho

Born and raised in Montana, I’m thoroughly American... for better or worse.

But nowadays, when it comes to a one-dish meal, that long-revered American standby, the hamburger, is the last thing I’d consider.

When I was younger, my first choice was normally a hefty spread at a Jalisco-style Mexican restaurant. But no longer. Because... well precisely because of the “heftiness” (in more ways than one) of a combo platter stacked with three tortilla-wrapped meaty-cheesy choices and sided with refried beans, lettuce and Mexican-style rice. Hmmm. That still sounds very good to me.

 But, in recent years, I’ve become completely won over by Pho, a simple, but richly flavored Vietnamese-style beef or chicken broth-and-rice-noodle soup that’s always served with an accompanying fresh-garnish platter and an array of hot sauces. And which – despite its modest working-class heritage – is predictably delectable.

Nothing chases the winter blues with more complete satisfaction than a steaming bowl of pho (pronounced, “phuhh”), a shimmering melange of long and curving rice noodles swimming in a richly aromatic clear beef-broth and topped with variety of fresh or prepared meats. It’s usually presented with a side-plate of fresh basil and cilantro, bean sprouts, hot green or red pepper circles and a couple of tart lime wedges.

It is, in my world, the perfect one-dish ritual for mid-day happiness.

Though I find it a perfect fall and winter food, I nonetheless enjoy a bowl of pho any day of the year, particularly since Missoula now boasts  a Vietnamese restaurant that serves a tasty lineup of pho dishes equal to the best I’ve found in Seattle, where I first discovered the dish.

It’s called Vietnam Noodle , and if you haven’t yet checked it out, pencil-in a visit soon.

And of course, there is a decided advantage to a summer bowl of pho: the condiments.

That’s because because the garden-freshness and variety of the necessary garnish vegetables and herbs adds flavor complexity not possible at other times of the year.

But, in recent years, I’ve become completely won over by Pho, a simple, but richly flavored Vietnamese-style beef or chicken broth-and-rice-noodle soup that’s always served with an accompanying fresh-garnish platter and an array of hot sauces. And which – despite its modest working-class heritage – is predictably delectable.Like a pot of homemade chili, pho is a perfect “weekend” recipe. That’s because I’ve found it best to prepare the all-important pot of beef broth a day in advance. It’s simple, but takes time. The flavor nuances of a long-simmered broth are essential for pho and cannot be rushed.

My wife and I have each made our own pho for several years now. And, though we use the same ingredients – as with an outstanding homemade chili recipe – pho takes on an identity that reflects the cook-creator. I enjoy my wife’s pho as much as I do my own recipe. But the broth she makes tastes is lighter in body and flavor than the broth I make.

I could detail our recipes, but there are several excellent recipes on the internet that explain the process much more precisely than I can. The recipes by Mai Pham (recipe here) and Andrea Nguyen (recipe here) are particularly good.

Here are a few other links to articles on pho. If it all looks too difficult, then make sure you find your way to Vietnam Noodle some day soon.

Another recipe here.

A discussion of San Francisco noodle restaurants here.

And if you have a recipe to share, or can direct us to a good article or recipe link, let us know in the comments section or by sending us an email.

Missoula Journal's favorite music of 2008

I have continually listened to music since the Sunday night in 1959 (I was 12) when Bob Eder –  who was a "much older" high school student – invited me to listen to his newest longplay album, a recording by Thelonius Monk.

I fell immediately and forever in love with jazz.

I have no other qualifications to justify publishing my own list of the best music of the year. These 30 albums were my favorites this year. Favorites because – by some process I have never been able to explain – the music of these contemporary artists touched me. I did not select these albums from some finely honed system of aesthetic theory.

There’s no conscious determination of which are “THE BEST.” Nonetheless, you will see most of these titles on many other published best-of lists.

The rank of albums (I always listen to complete works) is not absolute. But this is how they stood when I posted my list on MissoulaJournal.com

This is all new music. Some meditative, some propulsive, some evocative, some unsettling, some seductive. All very good and worth a reserved place in your music library.

Missoula has a thriving local jazz scene. But – other than the always excellent UM Jazz Festival and the concurrent Jazzoola Festival – very few big name acts make their way to local venues nowadays.

My favorite show of the year was in Seattle. It was a CD release party for Hadley Caliman, which I experienced at Tula's Jazz Club in downtown Seattle. Appearing with Caliman were the marvelous young Seattle drummer, Matt Jorgensen, and internationally known vibist Joe Locke. Both Jorgenson and Locke have released excellent new albums (see my list!) The photo is one I took during the performance at Tula's.

My lists of favorites are on the next page.

Winter views of Western Montana's Georgetown Lake

I had the opportunity to take a work-related trip to Discovery Ski Area, which is approximately 20 miles north of the community of Anaconda, in Western Montana.

Those familiar with the area recognize it as a favorite recreation area throughout the seasons. It has been a popular area for recreation subdivision property development in recent years. But I notice a lot of "for sale" signs posted.

The route to the area from the north, on Highway 10A past Philipsburg, makes quite an ascent the last 15 miles to the basin that cradles Georgetown Lake. The lake is situated in the northeast (high elevation) foothills of one of our favorite summer recreation areas, the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness.

My ascent up the pass on Highway 10A was literally blocked for a short time. A half mile north of the lake a large section of snow had broken free in a treeless area and covered most of the highway. No photos of that.

But I did stop long enough to take a photo of the upper reaches of Flint Creek, just below the dam outlet.

The photo of Georgetown Lake was taken looking southeast from the west shore. The photo of the road was taken just south of Discovery Ski Area.

Snowpack levels in Western Montana are about 20 percent above normal, a welcome weather development in the eyes of most Montanans tired of the extreme drought conditions of the past 10 years.

It was a beautiful mid-January day in Western Montana.

The festive flavors of the holidays at Great Harvest

Few establishments in Missoula literally burst with the sensory sounds, aromas and flavors of the holidays as Great Harvest Bakery.

I can honestly say it's a "treat" to just step inside to the warmth inside... from the cheery greeting of employees to the actual physical warmth of fresh bread and baked goods baking... to the stout cup of fresh coffee that's a perfect complement to all the delicacies.

All the traditional aspects of the Great Harvest products are on display during the holidays. You can always get a complimentary sample of any available just-out-of-the-oven bread.

But the folks at Great Harvest – owned by Linda Tawney and Dave Scheel – know how to provide special fare for the holidays as well. And this year they've outdone themselves. Linda now has a variety of gift packages on display, which includes a variety of cookies and pastries, specialty jams, jellies and honeys, and a variety of other special edible goodies.

My personal favorites are their two unique granola recipes. But everyone has their favorite, or two.

During the largest part of every working day day there's a group of employees kneading bread or cutting dough for scones or muffins. Judging by their lively conversation and their actions, they're usually having fun. This morning the place was jumping with conversation and classic reggae music as a complementary foreground-background "soundtrack" to the bustle of the baking process and customers continually shuttling in and out of the busy bakery front.

Sounds like an advertisement, doesn't it? Nope. But I can't help being enthused about this locally owned bakery. It's just a place that's so welcoming in every aspect, it's rare that I don't feel good as I head for home, a bag of granola and a loaf of spelt bread in hand for tomorrow's breakfast.

Bitteroots a brilliant symbol of Montana summer

Cool spring weather has slowed the blooming of numerous Western Montana wildflowers this spring, but we caught the first colorful radiance of the Bitterroot -- Montana’s state flower -- while on a walk in the Camas Prairie west of Flathead Lake over the weekend.

The Bitterroot -- a cold-resistant and hardy strain of portulaca -- is a Montana prairie wildflower that thrives in the most barren of soil conditions, which makes it very, very hardy.

We often see it sprouting sturdily upward through cracks and gaps in rocky, dry-lichen-covered outcrops or unfurling double-handful spread-fingers of iridescent pink petals – almost miraculously – through dense, hard, coarse, gravel-crusted alkaline soil.

And yet, as a native western wildflower, it is disappearing from the Montana landscape. That's because any soil or turf that has been disturbed by “progress,” – which includes any slight disturbance, tilling or grading of soil... or the presence of grazing livestock – quickly guarantees the immediate disappearance of these tiny, radiant, neon-pink June flowers. Bitterroots are simply not compatible with any regular human activity, though they're revered by the region's Native Americans as possessing medicinal and spiritual properties.

And so, Bitterroots nowadays must be searched out. They blossom for 10-to-14 days in mid-to-late June and have usually shriveled and receded back into into their coarse protective soil habitat by July first. They can be observed at lower elevations first and then at steadily higher elevations or shaded craggy outcrops by late June.

Often seen in tight clusters of blooms and pods, Bitterroots rarely extend more than two inches in height with a tight blossom circumference of barely 2 inches. Their petals unfurl gracefully and appear to me as fragile floral fingers that spread heavenward in celebration of sunny cobalt-blue June skies.

Young talent the story at Jazzoula 08

I didn't catch every act at the Missoula Jazz & Blues Society's 2008 Jazzoula spring festival. Almost! Even though I usually headed wearily for home after about five and a half hours of each night's six-plus hours of wall-to-wall music.

PHOTO: Members of Sky Moose. Bassist Kevin McAuliffe, tenor saxophonist Taylor Herron, guitarist Owen Ross and drummer Jasmine Cove.

Nearly every group my wife and I heard during the four-day (April 21-24) music festival featuring mainly local talent was very, very good. If I could say only one thing about the festival, now in its fourth year and designed to piggy-back with the University of Montana Jazz Festival (April 25-26), it would be that the level of performance has improved by leaps each year.

Certainly every local jazz fan can name a favorite from this year's festival. For my money, the best act by a long shot was comprised of the youngest quartet of musicians in the fest: SKY MOOSE, a combo of two Hellgate High School students, one from Hamilton H. S. and one freshman from UM.