Ebony and ivory

Pianist Danilo Perez's performance at Spivey Hall June 3 yielded intensely dramatic music. Coming off a tour that tightened his trio to the nth, Perez and company covered terrain that surprised even them. "I assure you, we've never played that song that way before!" grinned a visibly tired Perez whose energetic piano belied his claim of no sleep. Using musical landmarks unbeknownst to the listening audience, the numerous rhythmic and harmonic variations employed within a single tune typified the progress of jazz music within the past decade.

Pianist Jessica Williams plays Spivey June 24 with a different agenda altogether. Unlike Perez - who depends on his trio's familiarity for cohesion of difficult original material - Williams visits Atlanta solo, using exemplary local talent (bassist Neal Starkey and drummer Rob Rushing) instead of a steady working band. Quite obviously, Williams will be playing a repertoire based on standards, but her quantitative choice of tunes should be well into the hundreds as she, Starkey and Rushing have broad knowledge in this realm. Williams is unquestionably one of jazz's best-kept secrets. Her two-fisted style, impeccable time, and left hand most other pianists would die for find Williams tackling standards with heated aggression. Talk about chops! A prime example of a typically notey Williams foray comes via her handling of Jerome Kern's "Why Do I Love You?" on the 1992 release, Jessica Williams at Maybeck (Concord). Albeit using a style emanating from the established school of bebop, technically and musically Williams' approach is astounding.

German saxophonist Peter Brotzmann fronts the Chicago Tentet + 2 at the Variety Playhouse June 28 in what may well be the Atlanta concert of the year for fans of freely improvised music. Among the luminaries performing are Ken Vandermark (reeds), a recent recipient of the MacArthur grant (aka "genius award"), stalwart multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee (trumpet/reeds), and influential bassist William Parker. This large ensemble contains la créme de la créme, most of whom are indeed based in Chicago - a city that duly supports the efforts of experimental music. Brotzmann's CD, Octet-Tentet (Okkadisk), made many a critics' "best of" list for 1998-1999.

When it comes to bebop, the question still stands, "Whose style developed first: Bird's or Sonny Stitt's?" When it comes to smooth jazz, one question remains a mystery, "Whose hair came first: Kenny G's or Boney James'?" When saxophonist James takes the stage with equally popular trumpeter Rick Braun at Chastain Park June 23rd, the results will be thoroughly titillating - certainly a means by which to entice the same audience into the Variety to hear Brotzmann five evenings later. See you there.

Put Out: Sylvain Luc & Bireli Lagrene, Duet (Dreyfus) - Duet pairings seem most interesting with two complementary yet contrasting styles. But in the case of two of Europe's finest guitarists, an exception is justifiably in order. Right down to the similarly stylized vibrato, both Luc and Lagrene display a consistent, discernible gypsy flare. Django Reinhardt would be proud. Both are startling technicians who take considerable harmonic and melodic risks while in mid-flight, even when covering simple pop tunes such as Lauper's "Time After Time" and Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely." In fact, no song in this set was written with complexity in mind, but the Luc-Lagrene jams over and around them are heavy-duty. This CD gives a lot more bang for the buck than one would consider when checking song titles. "Stompin' at the Savoy," and the sublime and melancholy ballad, "La Ballade Irandaise," are highlights. This is tasteful, extremely well played music.

Incoming/Upcoming: Churchill Grounds presents Loston Harris June 16-17. Smith's Olde Bar hosts the Dirty Dozen Brass Band June 20-22. Spivey Hall presents pianists Jessica Williams June 24, Geri Allen July 29 and Kenny Barron August 19. The Robert Ferst Center hosts Dave Koz June 16, Fattburger with Special EFX July 17, Gato Barbieri Aug. 4, Earl Klugh Sept. 9, Keiko Matsui Oct. 10, Patti Austin Nov. 11, Dave Koz's Christmas Show with Rick Braun, Peter White & Brenda Russell Dec. 9. This summer's Classic Chastain series (www.atlantasymphony.org/chastain/) features Ruth Brown with Duke Robillard & Herb Ellis July 5; Boney James & Rick Braun June 23; Jazz Explosion with Will Downing, Gerald Albright & Chante Moore July 12; Tony Bennett & Diana Krall Aug. 12; Michael Feinstein & Linda Eder July 8; John Lee Hooker June 24; BB King & Buddy Guy Aug. 19; Spyro Gyra July 14; the Brian Setzer Orchestra July 19; Natalie & Freddy Cole July 28; Eddie Palmieri Aug. 9; Manhattan Transfer Aug. 11; and the Rippingtons Aug. 23. The ASO presents trumpeter Doc Severinson Oct. 27-28, and guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli Dec. 21-22 (www.atlantasymphony.org).

Inside Info: A benefit concert for the International Women's House - a shelter for battered refugee women and their children - features the Tom Woods Quintet at the Unitarian Congregation of Atlanta June 25 from 2:30-4 p.m. (404-634-5134). In a ceremony held prior to Herbie Hancock's performance at the 23rd annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Atlanta International Jazz Society presented the pianist with their Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the art form of jazz. Atlanta-based Jam Master Records' premier fall release will feature trumpeter Eddie Davis. A long-awaited four-CD set of Louis Armstrong: The Complete Hot Five & Seven Recordings (Columbia) is due out in mid-August.

Speak Out: "Even if apocryphal, Louis Armstrong's oft-quoted remark to Jack Teagarden: 'You an ofay, I'm a spade. Let's blow!' enjoys a rich contextual resonance. The music was the thing. If it worked, the rest - including the races of the players - hardly mattered." - Richard M. Sudhalter (New York Times Jan. 3, 1999)

Out There: Clubs/Restaurants/Venues: Spivey Hall (770-961-3683); Variety Playhouse (404-521-1786); Chastain (404-733-4800); Churchill Grounds (404-876-3030); Smith's Olde Bar (404-875-1522); Robert Ferst Center (404-894-9600); Symphony Hall (404-733-5000).

In Here: Your direct line to this column by e-mail: rozzi1625@aol.com - or voice mail: 404-296-1503. Venues, colleges, radio stations, musicians and readers are encouraged to submit listings, information and perspectives. ??