The Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
September 8 - 14, 2005 Edition
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Music: Jazz...alive and well September 8, 2005 Photos by Ralph Stewart Esperanza Spalding, front and center at the Exchange in Oak Bluffs Saturday night, with Christian Scott on trumpet and Frank Wilkins, piano. Christian Scott makes that trumpet sing. Veteran jazzman Frank Wilkins on the keyboard. Slight, tomboyish, and husky-voiced, 20-year-old Esperanza Spalding wrapped herself around her big bass and wrapped the audience around her little finger at the Exchange in Oak Bluffs Saturday night. Portland, Oregon native Spalding received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston at 19; today she is on the faculty there. Joined by Berklee grad pals Christian Scott, trumpet, and percussionist Lynden Rochelle, Spalding delighted the crowd with two action-packed sets, ranging from old standards brought up-to-date (her rendition "Autumn Leaves" transformed the familiar tune from ho-hum to hit) to original compositions and playful scat sequences. Fans shouted out their approval when she launched into a sweet and sultry "At Last." The gifted young trumpeter Scott hit a personal note during intermission when he shared his anguish for hurricane victims in his hometown, New Orleans. "This is the city where jazz was born," said Scott. "It's a city full of joyful, happy, law-abiding citizens." All profits from ticket sales plus another $350 in donations were donated to hurricane relief. Located in Don Muckerheide's former auto repair shop, the new jazz room is informal and intimate, the creation of longtime Boston jazz producer Rodney Ward of Oak Bluffs, who promises many more top quality shows here. Esperanza Spalding and Frank Wilkins also appear this Saturday. Don't miss them. Jazz Concert 8–11 pm, Sat., Sept. 10. The Exchange, 116 Dukes County Ave., Oak Bluffs. $18. 508-693-6942

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