The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Thursday, May 10, 2001

PITTSBURGH

Master improviser Sonny Rollins heads jam-packed roster for Mellon Jazz fest

Sonny Rollins, Slide Hampton, Freddy Cole and Elaine Elias headline the 15th Mellon Jazz Festival, June 12-17 in and around Pittsburgh.

Rollins, the masterful improviser on tenor saxophone, will play at 5 p.m. June 17 at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. His latest album is "This is What I Do." The show is free.

Rollins is sharing the bill with vocalist Nneena Freelon, who performs sacred music to hip-hop, and the Nicholas Payton Quintet.

Trombonist Hampton brings his experience playing with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band to a show at 8:30 p.m. June 14 at Dowe’s on 9th, downtown Pittsburgh.

He will be backed by the Roger Humphries Big Band. No cover charge will be collected. Information: (412) 281-9225.

Cole, the younger brother of Nat "King" Cole and a former NFL player, plays songs from "Merry Go Round" and other albums at 8 p.m. June 15 at South Park, Bethel Park. Guitarist Joe Negri, a festival honoree, also will play. The show is free.

A pianist and composer, Ms. Elias will pay tribute to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim at 8 p.m. June 16 at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Tickets: (412) 322-0800.

Other gigs:

  • Poet Jayne Cortez and the band the Firespitters, who have recorded "Taking the Blues Back Home" and six other albums together, 8 p.m. June 15 at the Andy Warhol Museum on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Tickets: (412) 237-8300.

  • Saxophonist Lou Donaldson honors Stanley Turrentine at 1 p.m. June 16 aboard a boat of the Gateway Clipper Fleet, on Pittsburgh’s South Side. The boat boards at 12:30 p.m. Tickets: (412) 355-7980.

  • Saxophonist Donald Harrison, who has played with Roy Haynes and Jack McDuff, 8 p.m. June 12 and 13 at Dowe’s on 9th. There will be a cover charge. Information: (412) 281-9225.

  • Although he also plays piano and cello, Dave Holland is known as the rock-solid bass behind recordings and concerts with Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock and Stan Getz. He’ll lead a quintet at 7:30 p.m. June 16 at Hartwood Amphitheater, Allison Park. Pianist Walt Harper, another festival honoree, also will play. The show is free.

  • Charlie Hunter, who plays eight-string guitar, 7:30 p.m. June 16 at Rosebud in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Tickets: (412) 261-2232.

  • Randy Johnston, whose guitar has graced the work of Donaldson, Etta Jones and Hampton, plays at 8 p.m. June 15 and 16 at the James Street Restaurant on the North Side. Gene Ludwig and Tom Wendt open the shows. There will be a cover charge. Information: (412) 323-2222.

  • Trombonist Carl King, noon June 14 at Mellon Green, downtown Pittsburgh. His albums include "C-Train" and "Sincerely." The show is free.

  • Negri offers a "Jazz for Juniors" show at 6:30 p.m. June 14 at the Galleria, Mount Lebanon. Negri appears regularly on "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood." The show is free. Information: (412) 561-4000.

    Festival information: (412) 234-3275 and www.mellon.com/jazz



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