Dave Frishberg and Connie Evingson. (Photo by Andrea Canter.)

Continued: Jazz in the Heartland

In addition to jazz composers, Minnesota is blessed with an abundance of really good jazz vocalists. In the front rank is the versatile and constantly surprising alto Connie Evingson. Her latest CD, Little Did I Dream, features the compositions, piano and vocal work of St. Paul, Minn. native Dave Frishberg, (now a resident of Portland, Ore.), including several well-known Frishberg originals such as "My Attorney Bernie", "Peel Me a Grape" and "Can't Take You Nowhere." Frishberg, 75, who earned a BA degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota in 1955 before he eventually went straight, last year was named an "ASCAP Jazz Living Legend" and, according to writer Scott Yanow, is "arguably the top living lyricist." Frishberg came to Minneapolis for the CD release party Feb. 25.

Evingson provides vibrant, heartfelt, convincing interpretations of each of the 14 songs on this album. Her supporting cast besides Frishberg includes some of Minnesota's finest: Dave Karr, flute/tenor sax; Mark Henderson, alto sax; Gordy Johnson, bass, and Phil Hey, drums.

How did this pairing of Evingson and Frishberg come about? Frishberg (www.frishberg.net) explained recently by e-mail that "Connie and I met when I was a guest on her radio show in Minneapolis about five or six years ago. Subsequently, Connie called me and proposed that she do a Frishberg album. She sent me a list of songs she had in mind, and I suggested a couple I thought she might not be aware of. Then I wrote routines and leadsheets for each song. Dave Karr wrote saxophone `sweetening' as needed. We had a ball throughout the two recording days, and I believe it comes across on the record.

Connie Evingson. (Photo by Natasha D'Schommer Grant.)

"Connie is a poised and polished singer with great musical intuition and rhythmic feeling. It was very easy to play for her. She dealt with my songs respectfully and inventively. On `Wheelers and Dealers,' she phrases the lyric in an original way that I never had heard before. When I heard that, I wished I had written it that way. I've known Dave Karr since college days at the University of Minnesota. It was true then and it is true today: when he is on the date the whole band sounds better. Gordy Johnson and Phil Hey were new to me, but we played together like old pals."

Evingson told The Rag via e-mail, "I've always loved Dave's work and have wanted for years to do some of his songs. Learning that he and Dave Karr were old friends inspired me to do the project. I just thought it would be great fun to work with the two of them together. I chose the tunes and Dave (Frishberg) and the band put the arrangements together. He had some ideas sketched out before he arrived in Minnesota and then a lot of things came together in the studio. It's pretty powerful to have the composer/lyricist at the piano when you're singing his tunes. I think that comes through. If I were lucky enough to record with Dave again, I'd just want to do more of his tunes."

This CD certainly can (and should be) played on any/every jazz radio program. MaryAnn Sullivan has given it a good shot on her The Jazz Connection Saturday nights on Minnesota Public Radio, as have the broadcasters on Minnesota's jazz station, KBEM, Sullivan's alma mater (www. jazz88fm.com). Highly recommended to RAG readers and everyone else, www.connieevingson.com; (612) 823-5624; pat_courtmanche@yahoo.com.

Another gem from Minnesota's Irv Williams: Since 1942, Minnesota has been graced by the presence of a little giant of the tenor saxophone, Irv Williams. Now 88, Williams, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, apparently has decided that his new CD, Finality, will be his last. At least, that's what the liner notes indicate. A release party was held Feb. 29 and March 1 at perhaps his favorite Minnesota venue, The Artist's Quarter, St. Paul. Accompanists on the CD include AQ proprietor Kenny Horst, drums; Peter Schimke, piano; ubiquitous Gordy Johnson, bass; Loren Walstad, guitar and -- passing the torch -- young tenorist Gus Sandberg, guesting on two tracks. I was particularly impressed by Williams' thoughtful work on the ballads. To all of his fans who wish him well, Irv says, "Thank you. I love you all so much!" Right back at ya, Irv. Order info (651) 222-2307; (651) 292-1359; www.artistsquarter.com; pat_court@yahoo.com.

April 17 the Minnesota Orchestra's Jazz at Orchestra Hall series will present "A Tribute to Louis Armstrong," featuring Delfeayo Marsalis, curator and trombone; Lincoln Center Jazz Historian Phil Schaap, host; Nicholas Payton, trumpet; Victor Goines, reeds; Bill Charlap, piano; Reginald Veal, bass; Herlin Riley, drums, and Reno Wilson and Minnesotan Charmin Michelle, vocals. Details on these and other concerts from www.minnesotaorchestra.org/jazz.

Media Matters: The latest issue of the newsletter of The Catfish Jazz Society (Iowa-Illinois) includes columnist William Perry on Frank Sinatra, some tough economic times in their part of the Heartland but Phoenix rising; catfishjazz@yahoo.com (Better days and nights ahead, I hope.)

The February EarlyJas Rag (Northeast Ohio) lists the lineup for the club's Fall Jazz Festival; reviews a new CD by Ted Shaffer's Jelly Roll Jazz Band and gets into a semantic discussion about what constitutes good music, www.earlyjas.org.

Here are your Marching orders, my dear jazz troops: send me your news by the fifth of the month preceding publication, Will Shapira, 5644 Morgan Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419 or wshapira@aol.com. No attachments. Thanks. Later. Dis-MISSED!

March 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.