Traveling The Main Line Of Jazz In The Neighborhood

On July 28, 2012, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music paid tribute to one of Oakland's own treasures and legendary musicians, Donald Duck Bailey.

Donald "Duck" Bailey - photo courtesy of East Bay Express 11/11/09

"Well known as premiere time keeper of the traps, Duck also plays harmonica, has done time on the trombone and numerous other instruments," says Greg Bridges of KCSM and KPFA.

"For more than five decades, Bailey has helped define the pulse of jazz with a well-known sound having far reaching affects.

Dating back to his nine-year tenure with Hammond B3 legend Jimmy Smith from 1956-64, Bailey's influence has endured.

Having created a lithe trap set vocabulary that gave Smith room to lay down fat pedal-generated bass lines, Bailey expertly drove the thrilling crescendos that contributed to Smith becoming such a dynamic performer," stated All-About-Jazz publications.

Oakland and the Bay Area have always played a big part in the jazz and music scene.

According to Bridges, "When you think of folks like Richard Wyands, Jerome Richardson, Steve Turre, John Faddis, and Kev Choice, you think of all the places like this.

The Oakland Public Conservatory of Music has given a space for young musicians. Some that may not even know they're interested find and develop the interest to learn and grow from the seasoned teachers and veterans. And, to see these young musicians go and embark on the next chapter and off to college."

Tracy Fitzsimmons, trumpeter

"The music I just heard these kids play inspires me," says Steve Turre.

Fredrick Douglas Youth Ensemble - Kev Choice, Director

OPC provides year around economical study in a variety of musical arts and value innovation and scholarship in their quest to preserve the musical traditions of Oakland.

As part of their annual fundraiser, the community had an opportunity to experience known talent and make generous contributions.

OPC's own Fredrick Douglas Youth Ensemble opened the program with jazz standards and Latin jazz renditions.

Master musician Steve Turre, known as a passionate leader and one of the world's preeminent jazz innovators was the featured act.

As a member of the Saturday Night Live Band since 1984, Turre also leads several different ensembles.

The trombonist and seashellist grew up in the Bay Area where he absorbed daily doses of mariachi, blues and jazz. Turre has consistently won the "Readers and Critics" polls in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz for "Best Trombone and Best Instrumentalist" on the shells.

After having tenured with Ray Charles and Woody Shaw, Turre was soon after brought into Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Handcock, Mongo Santamarie, and Van Morrison are only a handful of the many great musicians Turre has toured with.

Turre led a jazz dream team of artists in this tribute to Bailey. Joined by Glen Pearson on piano, Jeff Chambers on bass, and Donald Robinson on drums, this highly propulsive ensemble had downtown Oakland swinging.

Steve Turre

Glen Pearson

Pearson, scholar of jazz pianoism, is a native of Oakland, CA and heads the Music Studies Department at the College of Alameda. Having performed as principal keyboardist for Regina Belle, Pearson has performed with Jimmy Scott, Ernestine Anderson, Diane Reeves and a long list of jazz greats.

Steve Turre and Jeff Chambers

Bassist, Chambers has shared the stage with luminaries such as Buddy Montgomery, Dizzy Gillespie, Les McCann, and Abbey Lincoln. Chambers has performed at many of the world's premier venues, including the Montreaux Jazz Festival, Fijitsu Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival among others.

Donald Robinson

 Known as an active player on the San Francisco Avant-garde jazz scene, drummer, Robinson has performed and recorded with many of the great improvisational players.

From saxophonist John Tchicai, to violinist India Cook, to koto player Miya Masoaka, the classically trained perfussionist has performed with a broad range of musicians throughout Europe and the US.

In this tribute to Donald Duck Bailey, the OPC audience took a ride on Jazz's main line as Turre and the ensemble delivered heavy weight standards.

Some of the standards performed were, With A Song In My Heart, Delicious And Delightful, and Something for Sweets.

As Turre, known for swinging on trombone, magically snapped his fingers, the audience swung back to a time when jazz was ascendant in the neighborhood.

Steve Turre

"Jazz is all about feeling the music," says Turre.

Photos by Dinah deSpenza

Tia Fuller Takes "Decisive Steps" In Jazz

This article was originally published by the Pioneer Newspaper at California State University, East Bay on June 7, 2012

Taking giant steps on SF Jazz’s stage in 5-inch stilettos, saxophone blowing, Tia Fuller’s performance commanded a standing ovation from jazz enthusiast at the Yerba Buena Center For The Arts.

Clad in a skintight reptile print short dress with sparkling embellishment, baring bronze shapely legs, Fuller gave her audience an unforgettable show.

On stage Fuller’s horn becomes an extension of her body. Her artistic expression is strong, agile, and buoyant. Fuller’s elegant full-bodied saxophone lines effortlessly improvise many moods and grooves.

Backed by an equally yoked quartet, show-stopping Ralph Peterson heated up the drums with Orin Evans on piano and Alexander Toth on bass.

Fuller’s artistry, versatility and ingenuity in musicianship illuminated the stage.

As a composer and bandleader, Fuller’s compositions are an illustration of swinging forward into the next level of life and being consistent in the mindset of progress and greatness.

Fuller has released three albums: Decisive Steps, Pillar of Strength, and her debut album on the Mack Avenue Records label, Healing Space. Healing Space a collaboration with trumpeter Sean Jones.

Moving miles ahead, advancing the jazz continuum, while remaining open and engaged in other musical dimensions, Fuller is also known for performing center stage with superstar Beyoncé.

“After performing with Beyoncé, I saw how she communicated with her audience and brought them 
into the music,” said Fuller. 

 

The sultry saxophone player’s musical identity was formed long before she joined the all-female backup band of hit-making singer Beyoncé.

Fuller's storyline began in Aurora, Colorado, where she grew up the daughter of two musically inclined schoolteachers/administrators.

Fuller’s art and jazz filled childhood included listening to John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughn and Charlie Parker with her musician parents. 

Her father Fred plays bass, her mother Elthopia sings, and her older sister, Shamie Royston, is a talented pianist who, sometimes gigs with Fuller's band.

Sister Shamie Royston is a composer in her own right. Royston is the wife of drummer Ruddy Royston.

At age three, Fuller began playing classical piano. By the age of nine she played flute and by high school she began playing saxophone.

Continuing her musical education at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, Fuller graduated Magna Com Laude in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Fuller received a Master’s Degree in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

“When I went to grad school to get my Masters, I realized that I truly enjoyed teaching. It was something that was almost genetically passed down, that I couldn't get away from even if I wanted to, said Fuller."

Even though Fuller’s current performing schedule precludes a regular teaching post, she is often a guest lecturer and teaches ensembles and master classes at universities and jazz festivals while touring.

 

The dynamic saxophonist has been featured in Jazz Improv Magazine, Down Beat magazine and many other print and online publications.

Following the footsteps of masters like Cannonball Adderley, Jackie McLean and Kenny Garrett, Fuller’s credits include a long list.

Fuller has performed with T.S. Monk, John Faddis, Jimmy Health, the Duke Ellington Big Band, Wycliffe Gordon, Nancy Wilson and many more.

While her lists of credits shine bright, Fuller has endured her share of gender issues as a female saxophone player.

A woman is first greeted with raised curiosity and skepticism when she shows up for an audition or a jam session, especially with a horn. There is a buzz throughout the entire building before she plays a note.

“There have been those who have had problems with me being a female horn player, expecting me to constantly prove myself, and wanting to tell me how to dress,” said Fuller.

Creating amazing bodies of work, Fuller leads the pack as women jazz horn players become more ubiquitous. 

At home at all points of the music-verse, her show stopping, scintillating, swinging jazz performances and recordings represent today’s modern female musician.