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“An Ellington Affair” / The Bill Mays Trio + Ralph Lalama & Eddie Allen 4/25,26 JazzForum 4/27 Deer Head Inn “An Ellington Affair” / The Bill Mays Trio + Ralph Lalama & Eddie Allen Friday & Saturday 4/25 and 26 Jazz Forum 7:00 & 9:30 Sunday 4/27 Deer Head Inn 5-7:30 p.m. Bill Mays, piano Ron Vincent, drums Dean Johnson, contrabass Ralph Lalama, flute, tenor sax Eddie Allen, trumpet, flugelhorn My involvement with iconic Duke Ellington goes back to 1972 when, as Sarah Vaughan’s pianist, I, Jimmy Cobb, Bob Magnusson and Sarah joined forces with Duke's band for a couple of weeks. Glorious! Aside from the obvious musical “high”, the best part of that time was hanging with Duke in his dressing room exchanging pleasantries and discussing music. My next involvement with Duke’s music was my 1994 Concord Records release, An Ellington Affair (still available(!), digitally, HERE) For these dates I'm augmenting my working trio (Dean Johnson & Ron Vincent) with the great Ralph Lalama and Eddie Allen. We’ll present some new twists on old Ellington warhorses like Satin Doll, Cottontail, and A Train, as well as the rarely heard gems Black Beauty, Dancers In Love, and Petite Fleur Africaine. I’ll also include a Mays original, My Azure, to Duke. Pianist Bill Mays’ career as a professional musician spans the last 65 years and includes a multitude of musical endeavors. Following four years as a bandsman in the U.S. Navy Bill spent 15 years as a session player in the Hollywood studios. In 1984 he re-located to New York City, firmly establishing himself as an in-demand sideman and leader of his own ensembles. He has worked with jazz legends Benny Golson, Shelly Manne, Red Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan, Bud Shank, Frank Sinatra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, and Phil Woods. His many recordings as a leader (solo, duo, trio and sextet) are well-documented on the Chiaroscuro, Concord, DMP, Palmetto, Steeplechase, and Sunnyside record labels. A prolific composer and arranger, Mays has written extended suites for bass, flute, woodwind septet, and pieces for big band and orchestra (New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Turtle Creek Chorale, WDR Big Band, U.S. Air Force Airmen Of Note). His latest recordings include Phil & Bill (duo with saxophonist Phil Woods), Front Row Seat (solo), Mays Plays Mays (trio/quintet), Autumn Serenade, and Soundscape (trio). His songs have been used in movies and television: Anamorph, Burn After Reading, Hamlet, Looker, Succession, The Fifth Estate, Tribeca, and Honey, Don’t. His keyboard work has been heard on hundreds of film soundtracks, among them Fargo, Fur, Godfather 2, Hail, Caesar!, Jaws 2, Julie & Julia, Rocky 2, Interview With The Vampire, Superman, The Big Lebowski, The Good Liar, The Spanish Prisoner, and White Noise. Mays has received rave reviews with the publication of his first book, Stories Of The Road, The Studios, Sidemen & Singers: 55 Years In The Music Biz. |
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