Woonsocket Radio News Room

ANNUAL RHODE ISLAND HOMECOMING

 

CONCERT at CHAN'S,RI 

 

 

DARYL SHERMAN and her AMAZING MUSICAL FRIENDS 

 

Saturday, October 16, 2021 8 PM

 

JAY LEONHART, bass  GRAY SARGENT, guitar  HARRY ALLEN,

tenor sax

 

special guest JEAN MCKENNA O'DONNELL 

 

with loving tribute to MIKE RENZI  

 

$20 advance/ $25 at door 

 

 

chanseggrollsandjazz.com  267 Main Street

 

Woonsocket, RI 401-765-1900

 

 

Through the years, my (almost) annual Woonsocket homecoming at has become like an extended family party, in addition to a great concert. My dad Sammy Sherman inaugurated the jazz series at Chan’s with JEAN MCKENNA O'DONNELL, who was my first 'live' singing mentor. Her recordings with her renowned brother Dave McKenna on piano were a constant presence in our family household. Jean has been performing 

mostly around New England. Her most recent CD Full Circle is enhanced with superb arrangements and piano by Mike Renzi. "Her voice treats listeners to perfect pitch and an array of selections from the American Songbook that few can deliver."-Motifri Magazine

 

Around 1982, some years after I'd left RI for NYC, I performed at the Newport Jazz Festival and also played that summer at the Coast Guard House in Narragansett.  A much touted young student at RI‘s Burrillville High School, HARRY ALLEN, sat in with my band, bringing the house down. He'd already been influenced by his percussionist dad and mentored by another RI tenor meister Scott Hamilton. When Harry moved to NYC he quickly rose to the top echelon -from Benny Goodman to Maxine Sullivan and John Pizzarelli. With more than 70 recordings, one of Harry's latest The Bloody Happy Song was done during the Pandemic and includes the aptly chosen Two Close For Comfort. Harry is so versatile he also regularly appears with the popular Brazilian-Jazz masters Trio De Paz. 

 

 JAY LEONHART was my very first bassist when I moved to NYC. Nothing like starting at the top!  Jay  already by that time was playing for Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Louie Bellson, Sting and 

first call bassist for studio sessions  "Leonhart is the Fred Astaire of jazz - a craftsman so seamlessly smooth". JAZZTIMES  JAY LEONHART is equally lauded as singer/songwriter with clever, quirky, heart tugging  melodies and words that weave stories. One involves Leonard Bernstein on an airplane flight doing NY Times crossword puzzles in ink. The Double Cross is Jay's humorous spin on Robert Ludlam and his anthem, It's Impossible To Sing And Play The Bass amply displays the pitfalls but magnificently proves him wrong.

 

Boston bred GRAY SARGENT has a natural feel for jazz as well as keen aesthetic for good songs. It’s no wonder he’s been a favorite of piano legend Dave McKenna, Artie Shaw's band with Dick Johnson and for around two decades, Tony Bennett (longer than any other musician in Tony's quartet). His CD  Shades of Gray is lauded "epitome of cool, unhurried and relaxed, no matter the tempo. Sheer joy and mastery."

Chan’s has long been heralded the Mecca for jazz in New England. The room where concerts are held is very spacious with room to distance seating. For more info/reservations: 401-765-1900

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or www.chanseggrollsandjazz.com 

 

 

 

 
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