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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane Jazz Orchestra Again Tabs Top Local Talent

William Berry Correspondent

For his third season as leader of the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, Dan Keberle has chosen to feature some of the top local jazz talent.

Musicians born and raised here or those who have lived here long enough to remember the toll booths on the Maple Street Bridge qualified.

Having picked the stars, Keberle backed away from the programming and let the players chose their charts. “This gives good variety to the programming,” he said. “It allows the individual expression of the soloists to come through better than if I told them what to play.”

It certainly makes sense to let people play to their strengths. For her wish list, vocalist Mardi Luppert chose “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “Cabaret,” “Almost Like Being in Love” and the ballad “I Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry.”

Former Jazz Conspiracy pianist Danny McCollim picked Chick Corea’s “Japanese Waltz,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” and a tune he wrote, “Song for Bill Evans,” for his feature numbers.

Guitarist Nick Herman will also do some style-jumping during his moment in the spotlight. His set will include “James” by Pat Metheny, George Benson’s “Affirmation” and the Ellington standard “Don’t Get Around Much Any More” in an arrangement done for B.B. King.

For those of you wondering if there will be any horns on this show, the answer is yes times four. The hottest trumpet section in town - Bob McCurdy, Andy Plamondon, Brian Ploeger and Keberle - will be taking turns at the edge of the stage.

McCurdy will blow Bobby Shew’s “Blue,” Plamondon will wail in “A Moment of Sorrow” (penned by local Tom Molter), Ploeger will scream through “Cherokee” and Keberle will shake out a Latin version of “Body and Soul.” But wait, there’s more. The four trumpeters will team up for a tribute called “Dizzy Land” by Don Menza.

The whole of the SJO will do another Menza tune, “Time Check,” a favorite of the Buddy Rich band.

So there you have it. If you are into the Spokane jazz scene, these names are all familiar to you. And if not, this is your chance to hear the best local talent let loose all in the same place at the same time.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT The Spokane Jazz Orchestra and the Regional All Stars perform at The Met at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $17.50; $15.50 for students, seniors or military; and $14.40 for Spokane Jazz Society members, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.

This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT The Spokane Jazz Orchestra and the Regional All Stars perform at The Met at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $17.50; $15.50 for students, seniors or military; and $14.40 for Spokane Jazz Society members, available at G&B; Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.