Announcements: Quartet, 3/28/06

So you got downsized. So you lost a fortune betting on Michelle Kwan. So tax day is coming and you're going to have to sell your last kidney. So you spent your kids' college fund to build a Y2K bunker in your backyard, only to learn it already happened six years ago. So your wife left you for Gavin Newsom. So what.

Put that all behind you, friend, and come on down to the House of Shields, where everybody knows your name (provided it's "Joe") and they're always glad you came (provided you brought your credit card).
And best of all, there's no cover charge, so not one cent will be diverted from your libationary budget to pay for the fine entertainment being provided by none other than San Francisco's own Ian Carey Quintet (minus Evan).

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WHAT: The Ian Carey Quintet Minus One

WHO: Ian Carey, trumpet; Jon Arkin, drums; Adam Shulman, piano; Fred Randolph, bass.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 28, 5:30-8:30 pm

WHERE: The House of Shields, 39 New Montgomery, S.F.

HOW MUCH: Zip.

Audio & Photos: Tuesday's Performance

Tuesday's gig went well, and I was happy to see some familiar faces and return visitors. The group has really developed over the past year or so, and it feels good to know it hasn't been in a vacuum.

Alex Budman (who heads up the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra) also sat in for a few tunes, including the Evan Francis-suggested Have You Met Miss Green Dolphin Jones?, which actually worked out better than you would've thought.



The photo is by James "in2jazz", an avid jazz photographer and writer, who stopped by and took some pictures. You can see them all here. An added benefit of this is that I can clearly see that my posture is atrocious. (Especially when you compare it to James's photos of Nicholas Payton, who looks like you could hit him with a wrecking ball while he's playing and it would bounce off.)

In keeping with our policy of offering something for those who couldn't make it this week, here's a long excerpt (the entire song lasted 18 (!) minutes, but I whittled it down to 13 and change) from a familiar tune by Herbie Hancock.

• D*lphin D*nce (Hancock) Soloists: Evan, tenor saxophone; Adam, piano; and Ian, trumpet; with Fred, bass, and Jon, drums.

Enjoy! (Bonus points for finding the spot where a bar patron shouts, "You picked the wrong scene, man!" Never a dull moment at the House of Shields.)

Announcements: Quintet, 3/14/06 (+ Bonus Audio)

The "original" quintet is back for another hit at the House of Shields. Stop by and soak up some culture, without even having to make a generous pledge or end up on a government watch list!

And as a bonus for those who might've missed it the first time around, here's a sample from last Tuesday, followed by a fascinating interaction with a "fan" who really wants to hear When the Saints Go Marching In, and seems to think that insulting the band is the best way to make it happen.

You just don't get this level of service from ordinary bands!

• Cherokee (Noble) The old warhorse burner was the last tune of the evening, so it's fast and loose.
  
  
• Can you play 'When the Saints'?, featuring the vocal talents of Ian Carey, Evan Francis, a fan who proves that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and the background chorus of the patrons of the House of Shields.

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WHAT: The Ian Carey Quintet

WHO: Ian Carey, trumpet; Evan Francis, saxophone; Jon Arkin, drums; Adam Shulman, piano; Fred Randolph, bass.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 14, 5:30-8:30 pm

WHERE: The House of Shields, 39 New Montgomery, S.F.

HOW MUCH: Zip.

P.S. Jazz appreciators: Doug Ramsey linked to some great Charlie Parker clips over at Rifftides today. Check 'em out.