Mention the words “jazz” and “guitar” and inevitably the name Django Reinhardt arises. This virtuoso turned Europe on its ear when he exploded onto the Paris scene in the 1930s with violinist Stephane Grappelli. Reinhardt married elements of his Romani musical heritage with the hot swing of artists like Duke Ellington to birth the genre of “gypsy jazz” and music was never the same again.
Local acoustic artists Roman Street will team with violinist Tom Morley in paying homage to Reinhardt tonight at MOJO’s monthly Jazz Jambalaya. WKRG’s John Nodar will narrate.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Gulf City Lodge (601 State St.), six blocks north of the downtown Wintzell’s at the intersection of State and Warren across from Dunbar Performing Arts School. On street and lot parking available with security provided. First come, first serve.
Entrance is $12, $8 for MOJO members with student and military rates available. The fee includes a light jambalaya dinner.
The event is BYOB with set-ups, beverages and mixers available at the bar.
MOJO is also collecting donations of non-perishable food items for the Bay Area Food Bank.
For more info, call 251-459-2298 or email mobilejazz@bellsouth.net.
Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month -and the end of your work day- with MOJO at the next Art After Hours. Thurs April 21 5:30 to 7:00
Art After Hours is a free informal gathering open to everyone involved or interested in any of the arts. Although the series is coordinated by Mobile Arts Council, each event is hosted by a different organization. This time, it’s MOJO, and its members will entertain with live jazz by Vibration Configuration, serve hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and award door prizes.
At AAH, you can meet artists you admire, make friends with whom you can attend events, talk up your organization or your own projects, and network with potential collaborators.
Please let us know by Monday, April 18 if you plan to attend by emailing Mobile Arts Council. hanaya@mobilearts.org
And if you, your organization or business would like to host Art After Hours, contact MAC.
Mobile Arts Council brings people and art together.
Featuring Tampa-based trumpeter Dan McMillion and his band.
Tonight Monday, March 28, 6:30pm at Gulf City Lodge, 601 State St.
Admission is $8 for MOJO members, $12 for nonmembers and $6 for students and active military with ID. The price includes a light jambalaya dinner, and a cash bar is available. Info: mobilejazz@bellsouth.net.
Mod Mobilian gave a now-former reporter a seemingly easy task – to infiltrate the Joe Cain Procession and do a video interview with Joe Cain himself. We are sorry to report he failed miserably. Here was his excuse:
“Well first off, I posed as a marcher with Les Chats Sauvages. I was making my way up to Joe Cain himself in the Pre-Parade Line-up near the Civic Center, when I bumped into this big pirate named “Mojo”. He proceded to explain that he was a member of Dauphin Street Drunks (aka Drunks of Dauphin Street or DSD) and a bit about his organization. Shortly after he acquainted me with a lovely young lady named “Saucy Wench,” and we got into an extended conversation about their initiation ceremony. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal the details of which because she said the pirates’ penalty for spreading such secrets would be to cut my tongue out, and I certainly would not want that. But it did involve a swimming pool at a local B&B.
Saucy Wench (DSD)
Before I knew it the procession was moving and I was really trying to get up to the coal cart to interview Joe Cain. But right behind the coal cart were these exceedingly beautiful young ladies who called themselves the “Mistresses of Joe Cain.” Intrigued, I entered into conversation with a particularly striking young Mistress, who I think said her name was “Scarlett,” but that could have been someone else. Next thing I know I am pulling a Mistress in my little red wagon. Although the Mistresses are perfectly figured, combined with the weight of my throws it slowed me down considerably. Unfortunately, I had to leave the procession early because of medical needs and was unable to speak with Mr. Cain.”
“Scarlett”? (P-R)
We have since learned that:
Despite Mod Mobilian’s strict rules against ethanol consumption while on company business, said correspondent and his krewe had a secret compartment “full ofAbita & screwdrivers” in their wagon (and we don’t mean the Phillips-head type).
The video he shot (which we are completely ashamed of the quality of – see below) becomes progressively disoriented during the procession, which we believe is evidence of #1.
Apparently, he sought attention for his “medical needs” at The Garage.
Nina Simone was one of the most eclectic, impassioned and controversial singers in American history. With a voice as remarkable as her mercurial nature, she ventured into jazz, blues, gospel and R&B, putting her own mark on everything she touched.
Pensacola’s Guffman Trio will perform when the Mystic Order of the Jazz Obsessed salute Simone on the Monday before Thanksgiving. The Trio’s pianist and vocalist Cynthia Domulot considers Simone an inspiration and has been chomping at the bit for a few years to perform this show.
Entrance is $10, $7 for MOJO members and the fee includes a light jambalaya dinner. A cash bar will be available. Attendees are asked to bring donations for the Bay Area Food Bank.
Monday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m.
MOJO Jambalaya saluting Dizzy Gillespie
featuring the Jermaine English Quintet
Gulf City Lodge (601 State St.)
Entrance: $10/$7 for MOJO Members
Light jambalaya dinner included
Cash bar available
Contact: 251-459-2298 or e-mail mobilejazz@bellsouth.net
Coming in November, MOJO honors Nina Simone
with Pensacola’s Guffman Trio featuring Cynthia Dumolot
MOJO (Mystic Order of the Jazz Obsessed) Jazz Jam – 9th Anniversary Celebration
With vocalist Kathy Lyon and a small combo led by saxophonist Joe Occhipinti.
6:30 PM. Gulf City Lodge (601 State St)
Members/ $7; nonmembers/ $10 (includes a jambalaya dinner)
Info: 251-459-2298/ mobilejazz@bellsouth.net
This ninth birthday features a show from Pensacola vocalist Kathy Lyon. A Nebraska native, Lyon spent a good deal of her career touring the East Coast and made an international circuit before settling into Virginia with kids. Jaunts to overseas festivals kept her skills honed before she relocated to the Gulf.
Tonight’s show salutes Ramsey Lewis and will feature the talents of pianist Chris Saunders, drummer Jimmy Roebuck, bassist JoJo Morris and horn player Larry Carter.
It’s at Gulf City Lodge (601 State St.- corner of State and Warren in downtown) at 6:30 p.m. Entrance is $10, $7 for MOJO members and includes a jambalaya dinner. A cash bar is available.
