I arrived in Austin last Friday, and have been checking out some parties and music scenes (including a show by Tori Sparks), so I’ll just share a few photos with you from my first few days!

Serenaded by smooth jazz standards by Troy Schuh (piano), Austin Hein (bass) and Eric Thomas (drums), we walked into the large and luxuriously appointed playhouse for a dinner with about 40 people, most of whom we’d never met before entering, but many of whom we would count as friends before the final delicious course was consumed.

We knew it first taste of the Gazpacho (a cool, fresh taste, accented with Ahi Tuna Tartar tossed with Passion Fruit Vinaigrette) that this meal was going to be a delightful experience, and not at all what you might expect from a young chef in your average dinner theatre. Of course, the Candlelight is not an average dinner theatre, so there’s your first hint! This first course was complemented by a rather crisp and clean tasting Sauvignon Blanc, which I found to be surprisingly good as I’m not usually a big fan of most white wines.

The second course consisted of Mango Lobster Spring Rolls, and I love Spring Rolls, so I excited to try them, and they didn’t disappoint a bit. With a hint of fresh mint and drizzled with Agave Nectar, these were delicious, and we were fortunate to have quickly made friends with the lovely woman across the table who couldn’t eat lobster, so my husband happily ate hers too! The Conundrum blend of white wines was a perfect match for these wonderful rolls.

The wine selection for each course was chosen and described by Sommelier Brian Cook, and Chef Josh Thompson shared some insights from his kitchen as well. Thompson is a very talented and surprisingly young man with creative ideas and exceptional execution – each course was delivered at the perfect temperature and freshness with beautiful presentation. As I am personally something of a klutz in the kitchen, I’m amazed at how anyone can so smoothly deliver such a superb meal for so many people!

Meanwhile, the jazz played on quietly in the background (I absolutely love Troy Schuh on the piano), and the conversations around the table got more and more interesting as we all learned more about each other and shared our stories. The Roasted Duck Confit Empanadas (served with a wonderful Broquel Malbec) and the main course of Sausage encrusted New Zealand Lamb Chops (accompanied by a lovely Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon) were almost comfort food, if you can describe a gourmet meal in those terms. The warm, hearty textures of the meats combined with the rich spices and balanced by the brightly flavored sauces relaxed us into a comfort zone that one usually finds only with the oldest of friends. Ok, the wine probably played a role there as well!

While we were sorry to see the evening end, the Chocolate Soup was so divine it cheered us even as we departed from our newly found friends. I look forward to future opportunities to Wine and Dine by Candlelight, and encourage anyone who loves great wine, food, conversation and music to give it a try. It’s a wonderful and delicious evening.

If you’re planning to attend the Lincoln Center event, you can pre-order the CD here on SavvantMusic.com and pick it up via the “express” line at Mark and Colleen’s merchandise table. Fort Collins locals can also pick up the CD from Mark at Jay’s Bistro any Wednesday through Saturday evening (7-10 pm).

For more information about Mark Sloniker and Colleen Crosson, check out these sites:

Quincy Jones keynote at SXSW 09

He probably doesn’t know it, because there were always 200-2000 other people there as well , but WE knew it and it was AWESOME. It was like spending the day in the presence of giants and their ghosts and their shadows as Mr. Jones walked us through the amazing history of music in his lifetime, so much of which bears his unmistakeably great music mark.

After the extended keynote, Bob and I went to a panel celebrating the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue album. And guess who showed up and was asked to join the panel… Mr. Quincy Jones.  And so continued our wonderful day with Mr. Jones. If time allows, I’ll post more at a later time detailing more of the amazing conversations with Quincy Jones and the Kind of Blue panel, but for now…

As wonderful and amazing as Mr. Jones conversations were, what he brought to us musically was even more amazing and fantastic.

Get ready for it, because Quincy Jones has a new protégé, Alfredo Rodriguez – a pianist so intense, so beautiful and so emotive you never, ever want the music to stop. Just two months ago Rodriguez, a tender 23 years old, defected from Cuba where he was not allowed to tour internationally.

Alfredo Rodriguez at the Elephant Room in Austin

Rodriguez played after Mr. Jones’ keynote address Thursday afternoon, and again later that night at a SXSW showcase in the Elephant Room, displaying his amazing improvisational skills and beautiful artistic soul. Part of Rodriguez’ genius is his ability to be so playful and simple interspersed with moments of exquisite emotional intensity.  He takes a melody and weaves it in and out of harmony and discord while maintaining the pure integrity of the melody and the feel of the song.

Part and parcel with the music are the expressive faces and body language that Rodriguez deploys to communicate even further the emotion of the music without need for spoken word.  Much of this you can hear in the music and see in the videos, but to really feel the full impact of Rodriguez’ music you must see him perform live.  If you ever get the chance to see him live, do not miss it! It’s an experience of a lifetime.  If you don’t believe me, just ask Quincy Jones.

Alfredo Rodriguez and "patron" Quincy Jones

After Rodriguez’ performance at the Elephant Room, Mr. Jones gave us a a few more words from his heart, saying about Rodriguez “this young man makes me even happier than I already am to be alive” and finally adding “This is what music is about.”

Like Mr. Jones, Rodriguez projects a sense of humility and gratitude for his talent, which makes him feel all the more genuine and authentic – truly deserving of his wonderful musical gift.

I’ll post links to purchase Rodriguez’ music as it becomes available.  Meanwhile, here are a few links where you might find new information on this newly emergent artist:

• Alfredo Rodriguez’ official (I think) web site:   
  www.alfredomusic.com
• Alfredo Rodriguez’ facebook page:
  www.facebook.com/pages/Alfredo-Rodriguez/71659295609
• Alfredo Rodriguez on MySpace:
  www.myspace.com/alfredorodriguezmusic
• Follow Alfredo Rodriguez on Twitter:
  twitter.com/alfredomusic
• Alfredo Rodriguez on YouTube (QuincyJonesProd channel) :
  http://www.youtube.com/user/QuincyJonesProds

While Alfredo Rodriguez obviously will soon be very well known (that is to say, he’s not exactly “under the radar”), I was so touched by his music and his talent that I wanted to share him with you right away, now, so you don’t miss any opportunity to hear him play.   I’ve included some of the best videos I found on YouTube below.  Enjoy! But don’t miss a chance to see him live!

My Favorite:

But this one was awesome too:

Last, but not least, here is a video of Alfredo Rodriguez playing the Elephant Room at SXSW – Bob and I were sitting about 7 feet behind Mr. Jones, next to the loud but well meaning drunk you’ll hear hollering in the video. I’m afraid the video doesn’t really do it justice.  This encore had me in tears.

See the Quincy Jones Production Channel (QuincyJonesProd) on YouTube.com for more.

Other photos:

Quincy Jones Keynote at SXSW 09

A standing ovation from The Elephant Room

Alfredo Rodriguez at the Elephant Room

Someday this photo will be the coolest thing on the block! Oh, wait! Already IS!

Thomas Marriott and Hadley Caliman play in perfect unison at Dazzle

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott put together a fantastic jazz quintet featuring the pure, clear and rich tenor sax tones of the amazing Hadley Caliman.  Marriott‘s deep melodious flugelhorn and rich trumpet tones were perfectly entwined with Caliman‘s when they played together, and yet they played nicely contrasting improvisational solos individually.

A little tired of standing venues with sticky floors, booming bass through earplugs and teenagers scrubbing off under-aged marks in the bathrooms, my partner Bob Carnahan and I took a night to enjoy some incredible grown-up jazz down in Denver, Colorado at one of our favorite listening rooms, Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge.

Phil Sparks on bass violin

Surrounded by room full of jazz lovers, we soaked up the vibes of this fantastic Seattle-based quintet.  In addition to Marriott and Caliman, the group included drummer Matt Jorgensen, bass violinist Phil Sparks and Denver-local guest pianist Jeff Jenkins. Sparks kept up a hot bass line most of the time, but one of my favorite bass moments was his initial solo stint when he picked up a bow and played a very rich melodic bass solo — still hot and jazzed, but very different from your typical jazz bass solo.

Jeff Jenkins on piano

From the start Denver jazz pianist Jeff Jenkins was just amazing, playing a seriously hip and engaging solo with a awesome and unusual rhythmic left hand chord composition against a lovely contrasting melodic element.  He’s definitely a local artist we’ll want to follow closely and hear more.

Another local guest, Boulder trumpeter Brad Goode, sat in with the quintet on several numbers.  Goode blew us away once before at a previous gig at Dazzle when he was a guest of local Denver group Table for 5, and his soaring, ripping melodies and his contrasting, unique style blew us away once again.  Where Marriott‘s solos were rich and harmonious, Goode‘s playing was edgy, screaming and flavored with bop, and while both were exceptionally good, it was difficult to realize they were playing the same instrument, so different are their style.

From Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage” to Miles Davis‘ “All Blues”, Marriott and Caliman played together with the ease of true professionals, their styles and tones well matched to each other.   Drummer Matt Jorgensen added hot rhythmic accents and kept things tight and moving.

If you get a chance to see any or all of these guys, jump at it.  In fact, Brad Goode will be performing at a CD release party in The Dazzle Showroom starting at 7pm on Wednesday, November 26th (that’s the day before Thanksgiving).  I can’t make it, but I hope you can go for me!

Hadley Caliman also has a new CD out, called “Gratitude” which Bob Carnahan purchased last night.  Hopefully we’ll get a review of some of the tracks from Bob later this month!

You can buy Gratitude from Amazon, or on .  Hadley Caliman, Brad Goode, Matt Jorgensen, Thomas Marriott, and Phil Sparks are all on Origin Records label.

Marriott, Sparks, Caliman and Jorgensen