CONCERT: Friday, March 27 8 PM

OCEANIC ORCHESTRA BOOKED FOR WATCHUNG'S JAZZ SERIES

Quintet Specializes in Rare Early Jazz Pieces

Jazz was the popular music of the early part of this cen-tury, as exciting to young people as rock music is today. Those exposed to "modern jazz" may wonder what the excitement was about, since the music has changed greatly over the years. A brave few still explore the roots of jazz, playing the music in a manner that can truly be described as "hot." The Oceanic Orchestra, a quintet that specializes in un-earthing treasures from the mother lode of early jazz, will play for the Jazz Series of the Watchung Arts Center on Friday evening, March 27, starting at 8 PM.

Trumpeter Simon Wettenhall leads the group, fattening their "book" with some original tunes and arrangements. The Cajun restaurant in the Chelsea section of Manhattan features the group on a weekly basis, but they don't often cross the Hudson for concerts. Their solid ensemble style is brightened by stirring solos on tunes dating from the earliest influences in the development of jazz, our native American art form. Simon Wettenhall was selected as trumpeter for the Woody Allen New Orleans Jazz Band that toured major concert halls throughout Europe. His command of a broad range of traditional pieces, coupled with his unique ability to play both lead and supporting roles almost simultaneously, made his contributions memorable. The band secured a six-nights-a-week engagement for a year after returning, a rare find in the uncertain field of jazz. The supporting players are no less qualified. Michael Christianson plays tenor and bass trombone, plus the euphonium (a tiny relative of the tuba), plus contributes arrangements and original compositions to the orchestras of Benny Carter, Loren Schoenberg and the Smithsonian Institution. Michael Bank, on piano, is also an accomplished composer, and has played with jazz stars from Illinois Jacquet to Al Grey, and even accompanied Savion Glover.

Their rhythm section features Kelly Friesen on the upright contrabass. Kelly has played Cafe Carlyle, the Cotton Club, Birdland, the Village Gate and even Town Hall, and is a regular with the Stan Rubin Orchestra. Steve Little, playing drums, vibes and other percussion instruments, including the glocken-piel, performed and recorded with Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck and several others. His drumming is heard on TV's Sesame Street and The Electric Company. The Gallery where they will play has excellent acoustics, but due to the intimacy of the room advance reservations are suggested. They are easily made by calling (908) 753-0190, leaving a message outside of the 1 to 4 PM office hours. Tickets will be held for pickup and payment at the door.

The non-profit Watchung Arts Center, home of the decade-old Jazz Series, overlooks the Watchung Circle, where three counties meet. It is just a mile from either Route 22 (Plainfield over-pass) or Interstate 78 (exit 40). Parking is free adjacent to the historic building or at nearby municipal lots. The popular Jazz Series and its vocal companion, the (Mostly) Diva Series, draw fans from considerable distances because they present a mix of top names and rarely-heard performers. Coming in the next couple of months will be acclaimed British clarinetist Sammy Rimington, the torrid Paris Washboard group from France, plus top American players such as Kenny Davern, Jane Jarvis, Misha Piatigorski, Bucky Pizzarelli, plus London's Neville Dickie playing stride piano. Vocal offerings include the team of Paul Meyers and Vera Mara, Grover Kemble, Marlene VerPlanck, Nancy Nelson and Pam Purvis (playing with Bob Ackerman and Lenore Raphael).

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Last Updated 07/13/01

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Last Updated Feb 24, 1998

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