Dameronia

Dameronia was the name of a bebop jazz ensemble founded by Don Sickler^[1] and Philly Joe Jones^[1] in the 1980s that featured the original compositions and arrangements of Tadd Dameron. They recorded three albums, two for Uptown Records and the other for Soul Note Records,^[2] and continued to perform even after Jones' death in 1985. The nonet, which included several of the composer's colleagues,^[3] attempted to create an "historically accurate" representation of Dameron's music.^[4]

Personnel

The original line-up included:^[5]

• Johnny Coles, fluegelhorn
• Don Sickler, trumpet, conducting, additional arranging;^[6]
• Britt Woodman, trombone;
• Charles Davis, Frank Wess and Cecil Payne, saxophones
• Walter Davis Jr., piano
• Larry Ridley, bass
• "Philly" Joe Jones, drums
• Don Sickler and John Oddo, transcription

Later configurations included:

• Virgil Jones, trumpet
• Benny Powell, trombone
• Clifford Jordan, tenor saxophone^[7]
• Kenny Washington, drums (after Jones's passing)

Performances

Dameronia performed at various jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals,^{[6] [8] [9] [10]} debuting in Greenwich Village at Lush Life in 1982.^[5] In 1988 Dameronia was featured in a concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center entitled "The Music of Tadd Dameron". The opening act was an all-star quartet featuring Tommy Flanagan, George Mraz, Kenny Washington and Charlie Rouse.^[11]

Discography

• 1982 To Tadd With Love
• 1983 Look Stop and Listen (with Johnny Griffin)
• 1989 Live at the Theatre Boulogne

References

1. Carr, Ian; Fairweather, Digby and Priestley, Brian Rough Guide to Jazz Rough Guides, 2004 ISBN 1-84353-256-5, ISBN 978-1-84353-256-9 "Don Sickler" at Google Books
2. Yanow, Scott (2000). Bebop. Miller Freeman Books. p. 257. ISBN 0-87930-608-4.
3. Holden, Stephen (July 13, 1988). "The Pop Life: Tribute to Dameron". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
4. Pareles, Jon (September 5, 1982). "JAZZ: CONTINUUM, QUINTET". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
5. Wilson, John S. (April 11, 1982). "DAMERON RECALLED". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
6. Palmer, Robert (July 4, 1983). "JAZZ FESTIVAL; CHARLIE HADEN'S BAND PLAYS LIBERATION MUSIC". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
7. Yanow, Scott. "Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
8. Marsalis, Wynton (July 31, 1988). "MUSIC; What Jazz Is - and Isn't". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
9. Watrous, Peter (September 18, 1988). "Jazz Moves Fast Forward Into Its Past". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
10. Shepard, Richard F. (April 7, 1982). "GOING OUT GUIDE: JAZZ HONORS". The New York Times. pp. Late City Final Edition, Section C, Page 17, Column 4. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
11. Watrous, Peter (August 9, 1988). "REVIEW/JAZZ; TADD DAMERON'S GENTLE MELODIES". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2012.