Blue Moon Jazz at the Point

NIGHTBEAT – Blue Moon Jazz

Twice In A Blue Moon

Once in a blue moon is the periodic celestial occurrence of two full moons in one month. Said to be a rare and special occasion, the Somers Point Jazz Society’s Blue Moon Jazz series is making such occasions routine, with a stellar, off-season program that has already provided some great shows and continues this Saturday night.

Having already brought in Tim Lekan, John Guida, Eddie Rosador, Rita Stafford, Barry Miles, Bob Sterling, Joe Breidensteine with Mike Pedicin, Jr., Pedicin was suppose to headline this show, but canceled for a good reason – to record a new CD with guitarist John Valentino.

In his stead, this Saturday local trumpeter Bob Ferguison will fill in for Pedicin and cover his brass with his own fine horn.

The Blue Moon Jazz Series, like the two full moons, shares a duel identity, offering back- to-back shows at Gregs and Mac’s next door, where Denise Montana and her trio will peform Saturday from 8pm. Free to Somers Point Jazz Society members the admission for non-members is good for both, one price and two shows, spaced a-part so you can catch them both in one night.

Sponsored by the Blue Moon Brewery (aka Molson-Coors), they make a Belgian White and and Pumpkin Ale, both fine draughts that go well with good jazz, as Fergie and Denise Montana will provide in ample servings.

A well known local personage, Fergie will set the tempo, while Denise Montana, while new to Somers Point, is familiar to anyone whose been to the Cape May Jazz Fest, where Denise has been invited back six times. With two platinum recordings this platinum blonde will put on a vibrant show that will certainly make this Blue Moon special.

There once was a Blue Moon bar in Somers Point, on the street that borders Linwood, and the Somers Point Historical Society (See: SomersPointHistory.org ) is looking for any first hand recollections or photos of the place, though you would have to be a real old timer to remember Somers Point’s Blue Moon bar.

The Blue Moon Series will conclude April 14^th with another local horn man, Pete Chavez, along with Tony Day and Dance Around the Globe and supreme vocalist Lolita Treadwell.

Then Jazz @ The Point 2007 comes to town March 1 – 4, with George Mesterhazy, John Swana, Duane Eubanks, Cameron Brown and Phyllis Chapell-SIORA, Brian Betz, Earl May, Carl Granieri and Sam Dockery.

This Saturday’s Blue Moon event, besides great music, will also feature a showing of some of Popsie Randolph’s photos of legendary jazz performers.

Once Benny Goodman’s road manager, Goodman gave Popsie a camera and a new profession, photographing the stars, mainly black and white glossy promotional pictures at first, but then for album covers and magazines. Setting up shop in New York City, Popsie was the most prolific photographer of musicians and show business personalities for decades.

His son Michael Randolph has amassed a huge collection of his father’s photographs [See: Popsiephotos.com], and will feature many of the profiles of jazz greats at this Saturday’s Blue Moon event and possibly upcoming Somers Point Jazz Festival events.

For tickets, to become a SPJS member or for more information see www.spjazz.org or call (609) 927-6677.

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