100 South Mill Avenue

Winner of the Downtown Tempe Community’s
Mill Avenue District Esteemed Excellence Award for 2008

Hi, JAMN Fans:
Our first JAMN Jazz @ Tempe Center for the Arts concert last Friday still has people talking. From the opening moments of the show, the musical chemistry between Marcus Printup, Judy Roberts, Greg Fishman, Ted Sistrunk and Todd Chuba was clear, and it just got better as the evening progressed. Marcus clearly showed why he’s one of the finest trumpet players on the world scene; he never missed a note. His warmth as a performer combined with sheer musical genius was truly awesome.  And Judy Roberts proved to us, once again, what an incredible, versatile talent she is. Give Judy a Steinway concert grand piano and wonderful things begin to happen. Greg Fishman’s solos on tenor sax were nothing short of inspired, and bassist Ted Sistrunk and drummer Todd Chuba delivered a monster rhythm section with eye-popping solos. As one audience member happily put it, “this is a world class performance”, and it was.
But one of the main stars of the concert on Friday was the Studio venue at TCA. We knew it would be a good room for intimate jazz shows, but we had no idea how good. The Studio might be one of the finest jazz performance spaces in the nation, perfect in every way. The sound and lighting crews are first rate, and the room’s acoustics are brilliant. Our June 27 show with Dennis Rowland and Margo Reed together on the Studio stage should really bring the Studio alive. Go to www.tempe.gov/TCA/ to purchase tickets to all our TCA shows.
And thanks to Friends of TCA, the Tempe Twin Palms Hotel and DMB Commercial/Centerpoint on Mill for sponsoring JAMN Jazz @ TCA. It is
the start of something big!
Our other show last week at Monti’s Back Door with jazz guitar legend, Jack Wilkins, was another audience pleaser. The trio of Jack, Armand Boatman and Dom Moio was a little slice of jazz heaven. Through the stellar efforts of JAMN Booking Wizard, Stu Siefer, our Back Door fans always know they’re in for a great time on Monday nights. Where else in the Valley can you get a good steak and cool jazz at a price that won’t break you?
Here’s our Monti’s Back Door schedule for June. Next week, we will announce our plans for summer.

June 2 — Margo Reed with the Joel Robin Trio
Margo Reed, a member of the versatile and amazing Reed family (Francine, Laverne, Bucko, and Mike), has been singing her heart out in Phoenix since 1973. She was the first of the Reed family to move to Arizona from their home in Chicago, and quickly established herself as one of the finest singers in the Valley. Her first gigs in Phoenix were at the legendary nightclub The Century Sky Room. That led to a long run at the premiere Phoenix jazz club, the Boojum Tree. She has since performed at many of the major venues in San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Atlanta, Detroit, Oregon and Denver. In addition, Reed had an extended gig in Telluride from 1990 to 1993. Always backed by the cream of the crop of Phoenix Jazz musicians, Margo will perform at the Back Door with keyboardist Joel Robin, saxophonist Greg Fishman and bass player Ted Sistrunk.

June 9 — The Pete Pancrazi Trio
Pete Pancrazi being named recently by Downbeat magazine as “one to watch” and a guitar player “deserving greater attention” is no surprise to those who have heard him perform. Audiences in Arizona voted him the “Jazz Guitar Player of the Year” in AzJazz Magazine’s 2000 Readers’ Poll. He is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music and has been the “one to watch” in the Phoenix area since taking up residence here in 1990. Through the years, he has cultivated a large and loyal following. Audiences enjoy his nimble guitar work and warm vocals in settings ranging from his solo performances at The Duck & Decanter to the Desert Botanical Garden. While in Boston, Pancrazi won the Berklee Performer/Songwriter Award four times as well as becoming a two time all around winner of the Berklee Songwriter Competition. He also received the Boston ASCAP Songwriter’s Award and the Berklee Performer’s Scholarship. He continues to delight audiences with his growing repertoire of original compositions, presented in performance alongside straight-ahead and Latin jazz standards. Pete will be joined at the Back Door by Vic Kottner on bass and Jacob Koller on keyboard.

June 16 — The Alice Tatum Quartet
Alice Tatum has been a fixture in the Phoenix music scene for 30 years. To see and hear her with some of the Valley’s best musicians was unforgettable. As a performer, Alice has played along side such greats as; Michael McDonald, Tom Scott, The Righteous Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Alice Cooper and Nancy Wilson.  She has also worked with producer giant Don Costa as well as entertainers Flip Wilson, Paul Anka and the late Merv Griffin.  As a recording artist her discography is expansive.  She has national commercials, TV, and film as well as her own three CD Projects. Alice has made her home in Scottsdale and has committed not only her talents but her personal time to many valley charities such as the Arthritis Foundation, Arizona Foundation for Women, Make a Wish Foundation and others. Alice will be at the Back Door with keyboardist Steve Gold; bassist Mike King and drummer Todd Chuba.

June 23 — Charles Lewis Quintet
No jazz talent in Arizona commands more respect than Charles Lewis, a jazz pianist extraordinaire who has entertained jazz audiences in the Valley since the ’60s. His unique piano style reflects the sophistication of Duke Ellington and the humor and rhythm of Horace Silver. Charles and his quintet have been recipients of many grants to perform throughout Arizona and the United States. He has served on the Musical Advisory Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the Arizona Commission on the arts. One of the Valley’s great jazz treasures and a member of the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. This is his third appearance at the Back Door and we’re honored to have him back.

June 30 — The Nancy Gee Trio
Everyone knows and loves Nancy. She has packed the house for us three times and gave inspiring performances each time.  Nancy has been singing for jazz crowds in Phoenix for nearly 25 years. Known as one of the Valley’s Four Divas of Jazz, Nancy has been voted Female Vocalist of the Year by the Arizona Jazz Society, Jazz in AZ and the Phoenix Federation of Musicians. She produced and marketed her first recording, Velvet, in 1990 and CDs Nancy In The Key of Gee in 1996, followed by Dedications in 2003. The combination of her soulful, velvety voice, sparkling personality and an ability to capture and move audiences is why she remains one of the Valley’s top headliner jazz vocalists.  Nancy will be with John Shea on keyboards; David Grale on bass and drummer Adam Clark.
Once again, thanks to all who support our JAMN Jazz Series at Monti’s Back Door.. KJZZ,  Monti’s La Casa Vieja, Downtown Tempe Community, Jazz in AZ, the Arizona Republic, the Tempe Town News and EV Tribune.
Shows are every Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Remember, doors open at 5 p.m. (not before). Cover is $7, and dinner and drinks are available on our special Supper Club menu.  Monti’s Back Door is in the rear of  Monti’s La Casa Vieja, 100 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. For further information on dates, call 480.345.2392.

Best Regards,
Stu Siefer, Roy Hoyt and Woody Wilson
JAMN Productions

Yuck…this faux-recession is about as bad as I can recall at the consumer level since Jimmy Carter did his Mr. Rogers impression. Does Obama own a red cardigan?
Economic Indicators: Are More Diners Trading Out?

Restaurants and Institutions, 5/29/2008 1:15:00 PM New data from Chicago-based researcher Mintel suggests that more consumers have moved from spending less on food away from home to curtailing restaurant visits altogether.  [M]ore than half (54%) of consumers who say they regularly dine out are cutting back their dining dollars because of the weak economic climate. Additionally, 70% of those trying to cut back say they simply are dining out less often rather than visiting less-expensive restaurants or reducing spending (such as by skipping appetizers or desserts). “People aren’t trading down for cheaper or lower-quality food; they’re just trading out,” says Mintel Senior Analyst David Morris.”

United Ends US Airways Merger Talks, Focuses on Alliance With Continental

UAL Corp.’s United Airlines is pursuing an alliance with Continental Airlines Inc. after concluding that merging with US Airways Group Inc. wouldn’t yield enough labor savings, people familiar with the talks said.
Soaring gas prices altering E.V. lifestyles
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/117387

Valley credit unions feeling economic pinch

Loan delinquencies are soaring among local credit unions as more consumers are losing control over their finances. Leading the way is Arizona Federal Credit Union, which saw total loan delinquencies of two or more months jump from $16.5 million in first quarter 2007 to $56.5 million in first quarter 2008.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/117388

U.S. Economy: Consumer Spending Gains Slowed in April (Update1)

By Shobhana Chandra

May 30 (Bloomberg) — U.S. personal spending slowed in April after record fuel costs, a slump in home values and a deteriorating job market eroded consumer confidence.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a7ie.CYzdpFg&refer=news