[CiccoineFed]

Hi Cherie,

Yeah, I know Morris at Kaos in Calgary too. I used to go to those Kaos jazz jams when I was a kid anytime I was in the city. His penchant for hyperbolic overstatement is amusing to me. The real reason that new rooms often tank is due to a lack of vision and commitment from club owners to build a relationship with musicians and allow a few nights where the crowd is not going to be so strong. In my coversations with the new manager at Bogart's, I am seeing a willingness to (hopefully) develop something on a long term basis. This is exciting, as the room has GREAT potential as a room for jazz listening. I'm not saying that just because I want to play there. I'm saying that because I've played at all the major rooms in town, and comparing them on objective standards of what makes a good "jazz" room (location, atmosphere, food, drink, service, acoustics, managment, layout of the room etc...) Bogart's could be right up there with the few other places in town.

So if my first post sounded like a cheap plug, the truth is it was and it wasn't. It was because people coming to my gig is good for me. It wasn't because people coming to ANY gig in a new room is a good thing for everyone. I hope.

Back to Calgary... they actually do have a real jazz club. It's called Beatniq, and it's a GREAT club. They pay well, have a nice piano and house drumkit, great seating, great food, great staff etc... I played there two nights after my time at the Banff Centre this year and we had a blast.

As far as coming up your way, I'd still like to do it. Scheduling problems kind of tanked the idea of taking Bruno all the way to Invermere again (although, I'm sure that's going to happen again). I just haven't had the time to pounce on that info you sent me.

Cheers....

[CiccoineFed]

Thanks to everyone that came out last night... it looks like this room might turn into a really nice spot. I'm there with a trio next week... guitar (hopefully) on Friday and Alvin Cornista on saxophones on Saturday. Cheers....

[bZEUWO4F]

Hey Morgan, are you talking about a Jam at Bogarts? Saturdays? Good hang I'm sure....

[Efksqhyu]

Hi Morgan
Sounds good.
Is this music 7 days a week? Do you know who else they have playing there?

[I9dydJrX]

Morgan, thanks for the info. It is always good news when another jazz venue opens. The insanity of taking the risk is one not everyone shares. I once had a club owner explain to me that he tried for three years to run a jazz club in Calgary and got so tired of jazz fans coming in sitting seven to a table, their knees all fan folded together, ordering a cup of tea each and squeezing the last bit of sepia fluid out of the bag over and over again into fresh cups of hot water. At the end of the evening all seven had run up a bill of under $10. So he went blues, and had to replace the furniture once in a while, but.... he could afford to.

What happened to your idea of coming up our way?

[ranndomderr]

Morgan:
You’re right about the Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club. It’s by far the best jazz venue in Calgary (okay, it’s almost the only jazz venue in Calgary) and by far the best night spot of any kind in Calgary (okay, it’s almost the only nightspot of any kind in Calgary).
Enough faint praise. Beat Niq deserves sincere gratitude not only for creating a great jazz ambience, but also for bucking the trend in a city that’s largely dead after 6:00 p.m. In fact Beat Niq’s owner, Rob Young, works very hard to support jazz in that city. Musicians and listeners alike appreciate his efforts.
I’ll have to check out Bogart’s as soon as budget allows. Right now my straightened circumstances limit me to great free gigs like Fourgasm (and their really good opening act, Threegasm) at places like Lonsdale Quay.

[CiccoineFed]

In case anyone was wondering, the band is confirmed. On Friday night it will be the superlative Dave Sikula on guitar. Hope to see you there....

M

[CiccoineFed]

To clarify: I've had people ask me if this session is still active. The answer is YES, and big thanks to everyone who has dropped in or sat in in the last few months. This month's lineup includes a new group with Chris Gestrin playing (fake) B3 Organ (March 12th) as well as special guests Bill Coon (March 6th) and Mike Allen (March 20th). Please come out for the hang.

The good news is, Bogart's is going to be an official jazz festival venue this year... more to come on that soon, but I'm hoping some of the great names of jazz in this city will be gracing the stage. I will keep everyone posted!

[CiccoineFed]

There's a new room in town, guys! Formerly Carnegie's (no comment) that room is now under new managment and has emerged as a really nice place... great food and great staff there now. This may be my sneakiest move yet... but I'm playing there Friday night with Mike Z, Paul Rushka and a great young pianist from Toronto named Laila Biali who's really a treat. So check it out, if you're in the neighbourhood. I think this place has potential to be one of the best mid-upscale jazz rooms in town. Just as a room to listen to music, the layout is much better than O'douls, and the location is prime (next to Earl's on Broadway at Fir). OK, that's my plug... I threw this together on really short notice, so hopefully this place will be happening. See ya Friday.

[CiccoineFed]

No, no jam. We're looking at that as an option in the future, for another night. However, Mr. Ishkanian, you are always welcome to bring your axe down and sit in...

[CiccoineFed]

Greg,

Rob is a very nice guy, but a lot of the credit for the success of Beatniq's is Gerry Herbert, a prince of a fellow (who was also a Banff jazz participant with me in 2002). Gerry books the room and looks after artist relations and making sure everything is good. Also, you should know that the gig at Bogart's won't cost you more than a cup of coffee or a beer if you so wish. There's no cover, and the manager wants to keep it that way. But thanks for the intrest.

John, so far, I've worked one weekend there and this weekend I'm just doing Friday night (due to the short notice of the thing). This room is big enough that jazz could happen there all the time. They've got great food etc... and the room is really set up (or could be) for listening. I don't know if the HRO would fit though.... ;-)

[CiccoineFed]

...and this Friday, the superlative Jon Bentley will be joining myself and Paul Rushka for one burning night only...