players, May 3, 1984 — LION’SEYE — Page 5 by David Talento - In the Jazz world today, if there is one overused word, it is ‘great.’ There are ‘‘great’’ horn ‘great’ bands, and ‘great’ musicians springing up all over the world. All too often, however, these new artists dis- appointingly turn out be any- thing but great and when this happens, Jazz, as a whole, suf- fers. There are of course excep- tions to this and then there are those few artists who not only fulfill the expectations of the Jazz community but surpass them as well. Dizzy Gillespie is such an artist. At age 66 Gillespie is far from a new comer to the modern and by Steve Painter During the past few years, Pat Metheny has garnered respect and glowing praise from critics and peers alike for his uniquely impressionistic ap- proach to jazz-rock fusion. Con- sisting of Metheny on guitar and guitar-synthesizer, Lyle Mays on keyboards and syn- thesizer, Steve Rodby on elec- tric and acoustic bass and bass- synthesizer, Dan Gottlieb on drums, and ‘special guest” Review: Dizzy Comes Home progressive musical scene but his recent performance in Phila- delphia proudly proclaims that he is still one of the best. This concert was a special treat for the audience because not only did Dizzy play with his own newly founded quartet, but he sat in on a few songs with the Penn Jazz Ensemble as well. Sauntering onto the stage with the bent horned trumpet that has become his trademark, -Gillespie and the ensemble broke into his arrangement of Thelonious Monk’s ‘‘Round Midnight.” After a brief inter- mission, Gillespie returned to the stage declaring simply, “I'm back.” Joined by three suberb musicians, he -swept through a fast paced repertoire that included one of his signature tunes, “A Night in Tunisia.” For those who may be un- familiar with the name Dizzy Gillespie a little biographical in- formation may be in order. Diz- zy was born in Cheraw, South Carolina as John Birks Gillespie. However, it was not long before his love of music brought him to Philadelphia in 1935 where he soon acquired his first trumpet and the nickname “Dizzy’’ which was awarded to . describe the bebop sound that he helped create. Thus, Dizzy Gillespie was born as a musi- cian and now claims Philadel- phia as his hometown. Throughout the years, Gillespie has continued playing with the same intensity and emotion that he developed as a young man on the road and with such musicians as tenor saxophonist Charlie Parker. At this, his most recent perfor- mance given at the Annenberg Center, Gillespie, seemed to fuse the past and the present together into one musical fren- zy. In addition to playing trumpet, he played piano, sang, and pushed the beat further by often going over to the bongos, giving a “Dizzying’’ scat solo, or simply dancing. Highlights of his band’s performance in- cluded a mind-boggling bass solo and a free-form Jazz ver- Pat Metheny: Travel Nana Vasconcelos on percus- sion, the Pat Metheny Group represents a new generation of players born in rock but school- ed in jazz. They have no need to crossover with an unnatural fu- sion of styles, because they are contemporary jazz players who grew up on the Beatles, the Stones, and the Animals. The sound is at once pleasing and accessible: Chime-like in tone, melodic in movement; fluid and graceful, stunning in it’s execu- tion, though not technically Specimen: Batastrophe by Butch Lauer This specially priced six cut mini-album by Specimen, released in 1983, has created rather a large stir here in the United States. Most of the com- motion has been centered around the band’s goulish dressing and it’s infamous club, the Bat Cave, that they have managed to bring to the U.S. for their shows. Yes, when Specimen gives a show, they bring their own DJ and show 1940's horror films. The. spine ~ tingling mixture of goulish gar- nishments are not just props, buf a state of mind for this lot. Specimen is comprised of five members; Ollie Voices, Jon Guitar, Kevin Bass, Johnny Keyboards, and Jonathen Drums. The music that they create is Heavy Metal-New Wave. Now that isn’t to say that they play new heavy metal, but it is to say that a searing guitar combined with a killer drumbeat creates for a wide range of listeners. Specimen may well be the miss- ing link that created many an argument over rock verses punk bands. The entire album stands out; no one track should be singled out as better than another. The single that was released is en- titled, ‘‘Returning from a Journey.”’ The B side is entitled “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” So whether you dig banging your head, or thrashing about (slam dancing), you may find that this album is indeed needed for your collection. 12 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD OWN THE FIRST U.S. OLYMPIC COINS The U.S. Olympic coins | i A commemorate the first | = Al time in half a century | = This 1s the first ime in history “= == { that the US. Mint has issued ~~ : Olympic commemorative coins the first gold coin minted in the United States in some 50 years toward the Olympic effort for training expenses the ever-nsing costs of sending our team to the _ Olympic Games. and the staging of the Games in Los Angeles in 1984 4 All profits from the sale of the coins will go These are “coins of the realm” which. as ‘egal tender. will be highly prized by collectors The coins are works of art. The 1983 silver dol- lar coin was designed by Elizabeth Jones. chief engraver at the Mint. The front of the coin shows a dramatic depiction of the classic Greek dis- cus thrower. The 1984 silver dollar coin was designed by Robert Graham. a Los Angeles sculptor. The front of the coin bears a representation of the Gateway to the Olympic Coliseum. The 1984 gold ten dallar coin was designed by John Mercanti. a member of the U.S. Mint.engraving staff. developed from a concept created by James Peed, an artist at the Mint. The coin captures the penetrating scene of the Olympic Torch bearers in delicate. sharp detail. The 1984 Olympic commemorative Coins are 7 handsomely packaged and protected There could be no greater thoughtfulness for special gifts than an Olympic commemorative coin. They are a memento of a great event and will become a pos- session of lasting value Most importantly. they may serve as an inspiration: Not everyone can be an Olympic champion. but with sufficient opportunities we can all achieve our personal goals WIE oS See These magnificent coins are 2fd iy “proof” quality, the highest 7 3 The ten dollar gold Olympic coin is = Zrdiire 48 MINTED! \ / | - The cost 1s minimal x For only $32 you ! L. can buy a U.S. proof ti 3 73 pe = {= f pm that the Summer Games are | = SA 1 being held on American soi. * <. 7 7’ wr Te PN NZ : 4 ; ig commemorative silver coin that will help our US v3 Olympic team compete in the es i) ry. ve Gam grade of coin. Specially pre- pared dies and planchets used in high- pressure multiple striking produce a brilliant, mirror-like field with contrasting satin relief in bold, sharp detail. The result: a gem-like coin of extraordi- nary beauty. All sales will include an Olympic contribution of $50 for each gold con and $10 for each 10 silver coin sold Each set includes an official message of vali: 1 dation signed by the Director of the Mint describing all you might wish to know about your prized acquisition It is easy to buy the coins. While you are thinking about the Olympics. and how you are helping those young gifted athletes by giving the coins to others - REWARD YOURSELF with a set of your own-- : you deserve it! Coins can be purchased through your local post office and at participating banks and coin dealers across the country. Or. wnte to US. Mint. Olympic Coin Program. PO. Box 6766. San Francisco. CA motivated; and acoustic in sound, though electric in origin. Metheny himself is a moder guitar technocrat. While his equipment is extensive, the end result of sound is most impor- tant. His use of the guitar- synthesizer, for example, transcends video game sound effects and communicates the true emotional element of his solos. : Travels is a live account of Metheny'’'s most recent American tour. Because of the harmonious nature of these compositions the “live’’ setting promotes a laid-back at- mosphere. ‘‘Songs for Bilbao” benefits from the infectious at- mosphere. The band sets down a lively Latin rhythm and Metheny goes above and beyond mere improvisations in his lightning fast runs. In Metheny’s compositions, Solos take on a more melodic mode to form a cohesive whole. “Ex- tradition’’ is a fine example of Metheny’s use of his instru- ment to further the emotive quality of his compositions and solos. His fervent lead soars over his band’s sprightly 7th chord progression in a combina- tion melancholy/cheerful tone. Lyle Mays’ cascading syn- thesizers duplicate the function of an orchestra rather than the sound, serving to produce an airness to the music. ‘““Goin’ Ahead’’ features Metheny’s delicate guitar with sparse bass accompaniment by Steve Ronby, evocative of smoke-filled basement clubs in which ‘jazz masters Charlie Parker and Bill Evans’used to sion of the Beatles’ song “Yesterday’’ by Sayyd Abdul Al-Raabyyr on clarinet. Blend- ing perfectly with the youthful Penn Ensemble as well as with the serious and accomplished musicians of his quartet, Gillespie presented a most ener- getic and intricate performance. If it is true that Jazz is, “That Classical music of the future,” as he declared it is, then certain- ly this man is one of the most. important and ‘‘great” per- formers of then and now. His music has endured for over for- ty years and as he sang, “I'm 66 going on 22,” there is little doubt that both Dizzy and his music will be around for quite some time to come. perform, years ago. The distant sounds of approaching heli- copters signal the ominous segue into ‘‘As Fall Wichita Falls, So Falls Wichita.” Like an approaching thunderstorm, dark tones rumble and Nana Vasconcelos’ improvised voice lead wails over his bubbling percussion. Metheny’s pseudo- Oriental string sounds direct the band into a huge apocalyp- tic finale. The performances by all are faultless and the recording is pristine. This music is instantly accessible yet because their compositions only provide the harmonious solutions (therefore avoiding tension), boredom can occur on the part of the listener. But this album is still highly recommenable. GET YOUR SUMMER OFF TO A FLYING START! What better way to spend your summer vacation than to learn how to fly at Brandywine Airport?} For only $25 you’ll get your first flying lesson with a Certified Flight Instructor. Make this summer count for the future. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers