Dameronia Explained

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 (Uptown)
• 1983 Look Stop Listen (Uptown) with Johnny Griffin
• 1989 Live at the Theatre Boulogne-Billancourt Paris (Soul Note)

Notes and References

1. https://books.google.com/books?id=I5wrGL-a-Q8C&pg=RA5-PT23 Carr, Ian; Fairweather, Digby and Priestley, Brian Rough Guide to Jazz
2. Book: Yanow , Scott . Bebop . Miller Freeman Books . 2000 . 257 . 0-87930-608-4 .
3. News: Holden . Stephen . The Pop Life: Tribute to Dameron . The New York Times . July 13, 1988 . August 15, 2012 .
4. News: Pareles . Jon . JAZZ: CONTINUUM, QUINTET . The New York Times . September 5, 1982 . August 15, 2012 .
5. News: Wilson . John S. . DAMERON RECALLED . The New York Times . April 11, 1982 . August 15, 2012 .
6. News: Palmer . Robert . JAZZ FESTIVAL; CHARLIE HADEN'S BAND PLAYS LIBERATION MUSIC . The New York Times . July 4, 1983 . August 15, 2012 .
7. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r199951|pure_url=yes}} Review ]. Yanow . Scott . . August 15, 2012.
8. News: Marsalis . Wynton . MUSIC; What Jazz Is - and Isn't . The New York Times . July 31, 1988 . August 15, 2012 .
9. News: Watrous . Peter . Jazz Moves Fast Forward Into Its Past . The New York Times . September 18, 1988 . August 15, 2012 .
10. News: Shepard . Richard F. . GOING OUT GUIDE: JAZZ HONORS . The New York Times . Late City Final Edition, Section C, Page 17, Column 4 . April 7, 1982 . August 15, 2012 .
11. News: Watrous . Peter . REVIEW/JAZZ; TADD DAMERON'S GENTLE MELODIES . The New York Times . August 9, 1988 . August 15, 2012 .