Chuck Metcalf Tribute

Photo by BeverlyTharp

"This is a tribute to bassist/composer Chuck Metcalf featuring some of his wonderful musical compositions. Chuck grew up in the Seattle area alongside Quincy Jones and Ray Charles in what was, at the time, a very vibrant and creative music scene. Chuck was a curious and adventurous spirit whose soul was captured by the first bebop records of Charlie Parker. He started playing bass in high school and continued through college while he pursued a degree in architecture from the University of Washington. Alongside his many accomplishments as a musician, he became a licensed architect who took an interest in urban planning and alternative ways of developing sustainable communities. His idealism in regards to balancing the needs of the community with the individual found artistic expression in his own musical life. He wrote several books on music. (Notably one on harmony and the bass.) Chuck was a thoughtful and imaginative man of many passions and is missed by his friends and fellow musicians." --David Udolf

In a career which began in the 1950's and only ended with his death in 2012, bassist and composer Chuck Metcalf performed with Dexter Gordon, Anita O'Day, Frank Morgan, Jim Pepper, Ernestine Anderson, Joe Venuti, Mark Murphy, Mose Allison, Chet Baker, Kenny Barron, Charlie Byrd, Conte Candoli, Larry Coryell, Bob Dorough, Billy Eckstine, Art Farmer, Benny Goodman, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Charles Lloyd, Bobby McFerrin, Joe Pass, Art Pepper, Woody Shaw, George Shearing, and Mel Torme.

He released four recordings as a leader, and composed over 80 original and substantial jazz tunes, many of which will be featured in this performance.

He appeared twice at Chez Hanny with a group including several of the musicians below.

www.chuckmetcalf.com

Pianist David Udolf has played with Terri Bryant of the Fifth Dimension, saxophonist Herb Geller, R&B legend Bo Diddley, and toured internationally with singer Mary Stallings.

Bay Area artists he has worked with include: Jules Broussard, Opie Bellas, Sherri Roberts, Kenny Washington, Jennifer Lee, Clairdee, Denise Perrier, Lavay Smith, Shanna Carlson, Vicki Burns, Chuck Metcalf, Warren Gale, Noel Jewkes, Hal Stein, Pete Yellin, Donald Bailey, and Jules Rowell.

He has a MSC from University of Edinburgh, Scotland and is a certified Alexander Technique teacher. He teaches piano privately.

He appeared here previously with Chuck Metcalf, Jules Rowell, and Ratzo Harris.

http://www.balanceandharmony.net/

Saxophonist Steve Heckman has performed with Howard McGhee, Roswell Rudd, Slam Stewart, Si Zentner, Urbie Green, the Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey bands (led by Lee Castle and Warren Covington, respectively), Cal Collins, Bruce Foreman, George Cables, Andrew Hill, Jessica Williams, Eddie Moore, Donald Bailey, Pete Escovedo, Tom Harrell, and Madeline Eastman, among many others.

Steve was a regular member of trumpeter Eddie Henderson's quintet which featured rising piano star Benny Green. He was also privileged to play loft sessions with both guitarist John Abercrombie and the late trumpeter Chet Baker.

He has released two CDs as a leader, "With John in Mind", and "Live at Yoshi's".

He performed previously at Chez Hanny with Chuck Metcalf and with his own quartet.

www.SteveHeckman.com.

Vibraphonist Jim Zimmerman has had a varied career in percussion. After graduating from the San Francisco Conservatory, Jim spent the following years working in the Bay Area playing jazz, and doing recording, studio and show work. He became staff percussionist and drummer at the Circle Star Theater where he performed with everyone from Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett to the Temptations, Spinners, and Jackson Five.

Jim left the Circle Star Theater to join the legendary Vince Guaraldi Trio with whom he recorded some of the Charlie Brown Peanuts specials. In 1982, he joined the British jazz singer Cleo Laine. He recorded five albums with Cleo including the Grammy winning "Live at Carnegie" double album. From 1992 to 2004 toured with jazz Grammy winning vocalist Dianne Schuur.

Jim has also recorded and played with Toots Thielmans, Joe Williams, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper and Blue Mitchell.

Jim appeared here previously on drums with Khalil Shaheed and Daria Nile, and on vibes with the Bernal Jazz Quintet.

http://www.jimzimmermanmusic.com

Bassist Ratzo B. Harris has recorded with Mose Allison, Denny Zeitlin, Kenny Werner, Tom Rainey, Joe Lovano, Mark Feldman, Eric Friedlander, Connie Crothers, Gary Bartz, Randy Brecker, Vincent Herring, David Darling, Paul McCandless, Jane Ira Bloom, John Scofield, and Paul Motian, and performed frequently with Joe Henderson, Cal Tjader, John Handy, Charles Lloyd, Jon Hendricks, Ted Curson, Tim Berne, Betty Carter, Helen Merrill, Les Paul, Joanne Brackeen, and Jim Pepper.

He has also been active as an educator, and has taught at Purdue University, Indiana University, University of Massachusetts, Berklee College, New England Conservatory, Rotterdam Conservatory, University of Ludwigsburg, the Music High Schools of Wurztburg and Cologne, the New School for Social Research, the Manhattan School of Music and New York University.

He has appeared here on three occasions with the Roberta Piket Trio with Billy Mintz, and three times with his own groups.

http://www.ratzobharris.com/

Drummer Ron Marabuto grew up in the East Bay, playing with and greatly influenced by his father, John Marabuto, a pianist and arranger busy and respected in the Bay Area.

After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1974 Ron relocated to NYC 1977-87, where he played with the likes of Pepper Adams, Roland Hanna, Tommy Flanagan, Duke Jordan, Jerry Dodgion, Frank Wess, Steve Grossman and Sal Nistico. Back in SF since 1987, he has been active with Bruce Forman, Smith Dobson, Buddy Montgomery, Rob Schneiderman, Al Plank, Hal Stein, Calvin Keyes, Warren Gale, Noel Jewkes, Bob Kenmotsu, Gini Wilson, and Walter Savage, among others.

Ron appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Chuck Metcalf, Mark Levine, Chuck Manning, Will Matthews, and the Robb Fisher - Keith Saunders Trio.

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