Toledo Jazz Newsletter February 2025

Feb 01, 2025

Toledo Jazz Newsletter

February 2025
Winter has us all in its icy grip, but spring is just around the corner. Stay warm, stay jazzy and get out and support our jazz performers at live venues around the area.

Below there is a section about my book called Toledo’s Jazz Legacy. This section will outline the status of the book and the current hope for final publication.

There are many jazz birthdays in the vicinity during February, wow. Happy Birthday to: Jean Holden, Don Hales, Ben Wolkins, James Ham, Lauren Smith, Michael Reed, Jason Quick, Randy Richie, Dorothy Gray, Atla DeChamplain, John Grafing and to all performers who are not on the current TJN birthday list.

The Toledo Jazz Orchestra is at the Valentine Theater on Saturday, February 1, 2025. They are presenting a show focused on the virtuosity and talent of Jon Hendricks. Along with the TJO and Musical Director/Conductor Alain Trudel, guest vocalist Kim Buehler will be aboard for the performance. Valentine Theater, 8:00pm.
Tickets: https://www.artstoledo.com/events/2025/02/01/toledo-jazz-orchestra/american-songbook-3-the-artistry-of-jon-hendricks/225/#BuyTickets

You know, Jean Holden’s birthday is on February 2, and the next day, coincidentally, Jean is the featured vocalist with the Mike Lorenz Trio at the Golden Road on Monday, February 3, 2025. Heck, it’s practically a birthday gig. Others have said the same thing, too. The gig runs from 7:00pm until 10:00pm.

We were saddened to find out about the deaths of two of the area’s finest drummers in January 2025, Tony Pinciotti and Mike Hollie. Pinciotti who recently resided in New York City was well respected among musicians in the Big Apple. He cut his jazz teeth at Rusty’s Jazz Café in Toledo, Ohio where he could be heard with Red Port Revue and other groups that performed at the club. Mike Hollie picked up percussion as a teenager, taking lessons in the 1950s from “Swing” Lee, who played in the Duke Ellington band in his youth, the Red Top Organ Trio, and later, as an uncredited drummer in Motown, playing sessions with the Supremes and Stevie Wonder. After cutting his chops in Toledo’s jazz scene, Hollie could be heard at many locations on Dorr Street, and he had a decade-long gig at the Green Lite Inn. He performed at Rusty’s Jazz Café and sat in with many notables in venues around Toledo, including one session with Jimmy Smith. There is a lot more to each drummer’s story, but there is limited space in the newsletter format. Hollie was covered in Special Toledo Jazz Newsletter Update, which can be found at this link:

Musicians and vocalists, please remember to send your gigs before the first of the month the gig is scheduled for. The TJN usually goes out on the first of each month.

Toledo still does not have a statue of Jon Hendricks, anywhere.

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Thanks for reading,

WXTS Streaming link: rdo.to/wxts

The Toledo Jazz Orchestra American Songbook3: The Artistry of Jon Hendricks with guest vocalist Kim Buehler, February 1, 2025, 8pm at The Valentine Theater.
Tickets: https://www.artstoledo.com/events/2025/02/01/toledo-jazz-orchestra/american-songbook-3-the-artistry-of-jon-hendricks/225/#BuyTickets

Author's collection

John Hendricks and Kim Buehler knock out the lyrics to a Monk tune in 2014.

Happy Birthday Jean! Photo: The Mike Lorenz Trio with vocalist Jean Holden at the Golden Road
Jean is the vocal guest with the Mike Lorenz Trio at the Golden Road on Monday, February 3, 2025, 7:00pm - 10:00pm

No tickets for Tuesday gigs at Lucille's Jazz Lounge, 2 drink minimum, no cover. Damen and Jean have a special guest each week.
First set from 7:15 - 8:15, jam session with musical guests 8:30pm - 10:00pm

The SSJJ is on Winter Break, returns next Month.

At The Toledo Club February 5:
(note: due to scheduling conflict Cliff Monear could not make the gig, so the pianist for the evening is the talented Arlene McDaniel.
The gig is open to the public.

If you were in Toledo in February 1941, and wanted to party the night away, The Whirligig Nite Club would have been one of hundreds of choices for the evening's festivities.

Toledo’s Jazz Legacy
The book is complete and contains 20 chapters and many photos in the work of over 400 pages. I was under contract with the University of Toledo for publication when they pulled funding for the University Press. As a result, my book, along with others, was suddenly without a publisher. After talking with many private and academic publishers, one thing became clear: They all wanted to cut nearly 50% of the book to fit their financial models. That will not work, as too much information would be lost. Who should be cut out? A two-part book was not a solution; it would have double the set-up costs, so that option was swiftly rejected.

Recently, I was able to communicate with editors at the Ohio State University Press, who expressed interest after reviewing the content. However, in their estimation it would be difficult for a book of 400 pages to break even, based on projected sales and their experience. Professional publication costs are significant, as I learned. For example, designer costs are high, and high quality, professional binding of the type that Amazon does not offer is very expensive. OSU has offered one possible avenue for financing the publication – an arrangement called subvention. This is, essentially, the author or another party assisting with the costs. The book will also have to pass their review process, if funding can be secured. If, for any reason, OSU should not publish the book, then I will pursue professional level design and binding services in a self-publishing pathway, although that is not the desired outcome.

To help fund the publication of the book, the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) has agreed to act as a fiscal agent for my efforts to raise money for a subvention. Although TAPA does not have the budget to finance the book itself, it has a non-profit status that makes donations tax-deductible and it can handle transfers of money to the groups involved with publishing the book. So, the goal will be to raise $20k to cover the layout, editing, design, setup, printing, and professional binding that is a hallmark of quality books. TAPA is in the process of creating a custom landing page for donations for the book. It will be operational by March and the next Toledo Jazz Newsletter will have a link for those who wish to provide a donation to help underwrite the book. I want to thank Zak Vassar, President and CEO of TAPA and the entire organization for their assistance in this endeavor. Additionally, I want to think pianist Randy Richie for his efforts in getting TAPA interested and for his advocacy for the book.

Courtesy Jim Gottron

Buddy Sullivan (sx), Clifford Murphy (b), Renell Gonsalves (d) @ Murphy's Place, circa 1990s.

Recurring Gigs 2025

Monday Nights – Golden Road Jazz Night. 3560 Dorr Street, Toledo, Ohio, 7:00pm – 10:00pm.

Tuesday Nights – Sessions at Lucille’s Jazz Lounge – Gene Parker and Damen Cook with special guest each week. 1447 N. Summit Street, Toledo, Ohio. Gig runs 7:00pm – 10:00pm. No Cover, two drink minimum, drink can be water or soft drinks.

Wednesday Nights – Organic Ingredients—Bob Manley, Tim Tiderman, John Johnson, and Clark Brooks with guests, are live every week at, the Oliver House, in the former Mutz Bar space, every Wednesday from 7p-10p.

Wednesday Nights – BGSU Jazz Ensemble at Arlyn’s Good Beer.
520 Hankey Avenue, Bowling Green, Ohio. 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Thursday Thru Saturday – Solo jazz piano at the Chop House, 300 N. Summit Street, downtown Toledo. Solo jazz piano in the evening.

Thursday Night – Jazz Collective at the Peacock Café. Each week the Jazz Collective features a different guest. 2007 Monroe Street, Toledo, Ohio, 7:00pm -10:00pm.

Friday & Saturday Nights – Jazz Collective at the Peacock Café will feature a jazz artist or group. 2007 Monroe Street, Toledo, Ohio, 7:15pm – 11:00pm

Sunday Nights – The Ministry of Jazz – The Village Idiot at 309 Conant Street, Maumee, Ohio 6:00pm -9:00pm.

Author's Collection

1940s Downtown Toledo at the Commodore Perry Hotel

Gigs February 2025

2/1/2025 Sat Art Tatum: The Musical.
Presented by Glass City Reflections
Free, open to the public Kent Branch Library
Toledo, Ohio
3:00pm -4:30pm 2/1/2025 Sat Hartman Bogan Jazz Series - The Toledo Jazz Orchestra presents American Songbook 3: The Artistry of Jon Hendricks with vocalist Kim Buehler
Tickets: https://www.artstoledo.com/events/2025/02/01/toledo-jazz-orchestra/american-songbook-3-the-artistry-of-jon-hendricks/225/#BuyTickets
Valentine Theater
410 Adams Street
Toledo, Ohio
8:00pm 2/1/2025 Sat Rob Crozier Group with vocalist Ramona Collins Weber’s
3050 Jackson Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan
6:00pm – 9:00pm 2/2/2025 Sun Dave Bennett Quartet “Swing to Rock”

Tickets: https://raisin-internet.choicecrm.net/templates/RAISIN/?event_ids=196#/events
River Raisin Center for the Arts
114 S. Monroe Street
Monroe, Michigan
2:00pm 2/3/2025 Mon Mike Lorenz Trio with guest vocalist Jean Holden Golden Road
3560 Dorr Street
Toledo, Ohio 7:00pm – 10:00pm 2/5/2025 Wed The Toledo Club, Music & Mixology with pianist Arlene McDaniel and vocalist Lori Lefevre
Open to public Toledo Club
235 14^th Street
Toledo, Ohio
4:30pm –7:30pm 2/5/2025 Wed Ragtime Rick & His Chefs of Dixieland The Sodbuster Bar
5758 Main Street
Sylvania, Ohio
7:30pm 2/7/2025 Fri It’s All About Love featuring Ramona Collins Brew House
114. N. Summit St.
Toledo, Ohio
7:00pm – 10:00pm 2/11/2025 Tues Gene Parker & Damen Cook with guest vocalist Lori Lefevre
No ticket required on Tuesday, 2 drink minimum. Lucille’s Jazz Lounge
1447 N. Summit Street
Toledo, Ohio
7:30pm – 10:00pm 2/12/2025 Wed Mike Lorenz Trio with guest Kim Buehler Slater’s Food and Spirits
1634 East Perry Street
Port Clinton, Ohio
6:30:00pm – 9:30pm 2/14/2025 Fri Josh Silver Trio featuring vocalist Lori Lefevre Downtown Brewhouse
114 N. Summit Street
7:00pm – 10:00pm 2/14/2025 Fri Ramona Collins & Cliff Monear The War Memorial
32 Lake Shore Dr.
Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
5:00pm – 6:00pm 2/15/2025 Sat Creole Jazz – Dave Kosmyna and Ray Heitger Carlo’s Poco Loco
1809 Adams Street
6:00pm – 8:00pm 2/15/2025 Sat Chris Buzzelli and Lori Lefevre Benfield Wines
Swanton, Ohio
6:30pm – 9:30pm 2/15/2025 Sat Paul Keller Trio with Chuck Redd & Sarah D’Angelo
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paul-keller-trio-with-chuck-redd-sarah-dangelo-tickets-1130917628069?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
Lucille’s Jazz Lounge
1447 N. Summit Street
Toledo, Ohio
7:15pm 2/15/2025 Sat Jason Quick and Norm Damschroder: Dinnertime Jazz Venue 4M
1919 S. Industrial Hwy.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
7:00pm – 9:30pm 2/18/2025 Tue Monroe Big Band Harbor Hook and Grille
13993 Laplaisance Road
Monroe, Michigan7:30pm – 9:00pm 2/19/2025 Wed Mike Lorenz Trio with guest John Klayman (sax) Slater’s Food and Spirits
1634 East Perry Street
Port Clinton, Ohio
6:30:00pm – 9:30pm 2/20/2025 Thr Dave Kosmyna (cornet) & Erik McIntyre (g) , Mardi Gras Pop Up Event Toledo Spirits
6:00pm – 9:00pm 2/21/2025 Fri Jim Young with Scott Lavender
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jim-young-with-scott-lavender-tickets-1127149868599?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
Lucille’s Jazz Lounge
1447 N. Summit Street
Toledo, Ohio
7:15pm 2/21/2025 Chris Buzzelli and Lori Lefevre Gilboa, Ohio
Hillside Winery
221 Main St. 2/22/2025 Sat Quick Trio: Jason Quick, Galen Bundy, Travis Aukerman
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quick-quartet-tickets-1127187150109?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
Lucille’s Jazz Lounge
1447 N. Summit Street
Toledo, Ohio
7:15pm 2/26/20256 Wed Mike Lorenz Trio with guest vocalist Michelle Shelton Slater’s Food and Spirits
1634 East Perry Street
Port Clinton, Ohio
6:30:00pm – 9:30pm 2/28/2025 Fri Chris Buzzelli, Kevin Eikum, Lori Lefevre Downtown Brewhouse
114 N. Summit Street
Toledo, Ohio
7:00pm – 10:00pm 2/28/2025 Fri Gretchen and Randy Richie Jazz Cabaret: Request Night Rosaria’s on 3^rd Street
135 W. 3^rd Street
Perrysburg, Ohio
6:00pm – 8:00pm 2/28/2025 Fri Ramona Collins Hillside Wine Shoppe
Gilboa, Ohio
5:30pm

The Tivoli restaurant often featured jazz in the 1960s. This ad is for the Clarence Byrd Trio.

Jazz On the Radio & Streaming

The Sunday Morning Extravaganza with host Ragtime Rick. “Music you won’t hear anywhere else on the radio dial.” Show details: 6am –9am FM 100.7 The Ticket, or available for streaming on the internet at 1007TheTicket.com.

Friday: then Saturday overnights -- WGTE broadcasts the Jazz Spectrum -- Friday 8pm – 12am, Saturday 8pm – 12am, then Jazz Spectrum Overnights Saturday from 12am – 4am, hosted by Fritz Byers. https://www.wgte.org/jazz
Other info at: https://www.facebook.com/jazzspectrumtoledo/

Listen to WXTS Jazz 88.3 FM 8a-8p Monday-Friday or 24/7, live stream at: rdo.to/wxts

Deep Mix: Music & More with DJ Amjad: Radio show distilled & curated from 50 years knowledge & experience of people’s music & culture. Drawing on a wide spectrum of genres & styles. Broadcasts Sat. 8 PM & Wed. 4 PM EST on WAKT 106.1 FM, streaming on www.toledoradio.org and the WAKT 106.1 app
*Shows feature a mix of musical styles, with jazz showing up frequently.

H-Factor Jazz Show, 24hr/day Jazz:
Hosted by Hugh Ross, Jr. http://hfactorjazzshow.com/

Mark Zaborney’s "Jazz Unlimited" on WBGU FM 88.1 and via bgfalconmedia.com Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 9:00 am to noon. Note: Live in studio 9am - 12:00pm on Wednesdays. Every Friday Mark posts a new, hip jazz playlist on Spotify, too.

Thursdays, you can watch jazz broadcast live from the Peacock Café on BCAN, Watch BCAN on channel 109 (sd) or 609 (hd) or on Stream TV 26, or you can login with your Buckeye Broadband account here: https://www.bcanarts.com/watch/