Jam sessions set for Bowen’s Island

Natural beauty, homegrown oysters and spontaneous jazz and blues music will combine Oct. 23 on Bowen's Island to form the Sunset @ 6:04 p.m. Sunday Jazz Jam and on Nov. 9 the Second Annual Charleston Jazz Jam, now a rite of fall that started last year at Awendaw Green.

The rustic festival is sponsored by the Charleston Jazz Club, a Facebook-based social network organization (facebook.com/chasjazzclub) founded in 2009 by Charleston businessman Dennis Fassuliotis. He's assisted by blues and jazz impresario Steve Simon, Dr. Eddie White and event host Smoky Weiner, a fierce harmonic player and bandleader.

Admission is $10 for the Oct. 23 show, which will run 5-9 p.m. The Nov. 9 show is set for 6-10 p.m. The shows will take place at the dock house of the 64-year-old Bowen's Island Restaurant, 1870 Bowen's Island Road, just off Folly Road.

"They will be serving oysters by the tray, crab cakes, shrimp and a few other items as well as a full bar on the little boardwalk," Weiner said.

In press materials, Fassuliotis said, "We've got sunset, moonlight, the Lowcountry and some of the best food and talent in the area. How can it miss?"

True to the blues tradition, of which jazz is a major component, these events are unrehearsed. I didn't make last year's jam, but by all accounts, it was a rollicking success. Several hundred people attended, I'm told.

Some of the same musicians will perform at the other end of the county this time around, including bassist Jamie Harris, guitarist Joe Wilson, drummer Anthony Constantine, clarinetist Simon and vocalist Lyndsey Goodman, who, by the way, tore up a version of "Summertime" at a jam session at Charleston Grill a few weeks ago.

Fassuliotis has confirmed the group as the first band for Oct. 23. He also said most of them have committed to Nov. 9 on the island.

Weiner has attracted bassist Wayne Mitchum, pianist Tommy Gill, and singers Bobbi Storm and Bobby Alvarez, also a percussionist, as the second band.

Brazilian singer/songwriter Duda Lucena plans to appear, Fassuliotis said.

There's an open invitation to all musicians who would like to come by and play. It's a real jam session.

That kind of process is at the heart of this effort. A small group of super jazz and blues fans have come together to combine resources and talents to spark an almost impromptu set of musical circumstances designed to bring about a good time for any and everyone.

And they plan to do this through the presentation of good local talent.

I had a glass of wine with Fassuliotis and Simon and some others at Coast restaurant after the Charleston Jazz Orchestra show across the alley on John Street on Sept. 24. It was a fun-filled night -- a great concert and palpable energy flowing through the crowded restaurant later on.

The conversation ultimately turned to the Bowen's Island events. It was obvious these guys had put a lot into making this happen and were licking their chops for it to drop.

It's a labor of love for all concerned: musicians, tech crew, volunteers and producers. No one is going to get rich on this one, believe me.

Email charlestonjazzclub@gmail.com.

Usual Suspects

There's a core group of artists around town that has shaped the local jazz landscape like no other. Depending on the gig, they rotate leadership, so they play under many names.

So many, in fact, we took to calling them the Usual Suspects because they had become, well, usual suspects: same band, sometimes augmented with other players. It's OK, though, because they're so good, you'll take what they give no matter what they're called.

Trumpeter Charlton Singleton, bassist Kevin Hamilton, pianist Tommy Gill and drummer Quentin Baxter, will take the stage at Voodoo Lounge, 15 Magnolia Drive, at 9 p.m. Oct. 11. Three bucks get you in the door. Go early. The occasional Tuesday jazz session is a real hot ticket.

World-class entertainment for only $3 and the funky, intimate feel of a neighborhood bar and lounge.

Tuesday, the band's name will be Two Heads, a Ponytail & a Dread! For those who know them, and there are many, it's a not-so-veiled reference to their respective hairstyles.

Baxter leads this time around. He has a fondness for Voodoo. He describes the band's sound as classic, based on old and new arrangements of originals and standards.

It's going to be straight ahead, modern stuff, I'm sure, improvisational but keeping the form of recognizable melodies. It's been their bread and butter over their 15-year run.

Jack McCray, author of "Charleston Jazz" and founding board member of the Jazz Artists of Charleston, can be reached at jackjmccray@aol.com.