L E I S U R E

• A Festival Of Jazz Blues, Roots, Honks, And Moans by Colleen Connor, MA, School of Education
• The Right One, Baby...Uh-Huh Ray Charles In A2 This Saturday
• The MBA Gourmet by John Lipinski, MBA2
• Bake Your Heart Out 1997

A Festival Of Jazz

by Colleen Connor, MA, School of Education

"A Festival of Jazz" truly sums up the Blues, Roots, Honks, and Moans concert held Saturday, February 1 at Hill Auditorium. The evening consisted of approximately an hour long performance by each of the following: Steve Turre and his 10-piece "Sanctified Shell" band, the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, the Christian McBride Quartet, Twinkie Clark (with the Cyrus Chestnut Trio and Robert Sadin, artistic director), and the James Carter Quartet. While all of the performances were outstanding, Steve Turre, the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, and Twinkie Clark shared the spotlight for the evening.

Making their debut under the University Musical Society auspices, Steve Turre and the Sanctified Shells dazzled the audience with their combination of swing, salsa, jazz, and soul produced with a combination of brass instruments and conch shells. Yes, that's right, shells. Turre and his band have mastered the art of shell playing and brought it to a level which rivals any brass instrument in regards to sound quality. One cannot fully appreciate the spirited performance without experiencing it first-hand.

The pinnacle of the evening occurred when the Cyrus Chestnut Trio began their set. Chestnut is an amazing pianist, plain and simple. Those who saw his 1993 performance with Betty Carter or his 1996 performance with Kathleen Battle can attest to this. Chestnut is the type of artist you can listen to for hours on end. Fortunately for us, Chestnut has released several recordings under the Atlantic label. When adding CDs to your collection, this artist is definitely worth considering.

As the evening progressed, the extremely talented Twinkie Clark captivated the audience with her remarkable vocal range demonstrated throughout her set of gospel songs. In addition to singing, Clark also plays the organ. Like Turre, this was Clark's first, and hopefully not last, performance with the UMS.

As the music concluded, well after the midnight hour, many would agree that Blues, Roots Honks, and Moans was undoubtedly one of the finest concert events of the 1996-97 musical season.

The Right One, Baby...Uh-Huh

Ray Charles In A² This Saturday

Music legend Ray Charles is appearing at Hill Auditorium on Saturday, February 15, 1997 at 8:00 p.m. He will be accompanied by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in a benefit concert for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. UMBS's own Professor Jim Reece is the honorary chair for the event.

Proceeds from the 1997 Winter Warm-Up will go to keep the Top of the Park outdoor concert and movie series free and open to all, as well as maintain high quality programs on the Power Center's mainstage. The mission of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival is to provide a "widely accessible, high quality summer program representing a variety of performing arts for the cultural enrichment and entertainment of a regional audience in a festive atmosphere."

Student "rush" tickets will be offered next week - $45 ticket for $35, $35 ticket for $25, and $25 ticket for $15 - available with student ID at Burton Memorial Tower (764-2538).

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The MBA Gourmet

Last year, I told you to cancel your dinner reservations and stay in for Valentine's Day. After all, home is a much cheaper, quieter, and more intimate place to be with the one you love. Last year some of you followed my advice and things seemed to work out well. Chris L., these recipes should be perfect to impress your wife:

The Entrée: Mushroom Walnut Ravioli

12 oz. Ravioli 3/4 cup cream

1 tbs. Butter 1/4 tsp. ground pepper

2 tbs. Olive oil 1/3 cup walnuts

8 oz. Sliced mushrooms 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1-1/2 tbsp. fresh basil (or 2 tsp. dried)

Cook ravioli according to directions. Meanwhile, place the walnuts in a medium, hot, dry skillet and cook until they have a fragrant aroma (about one minute or so). Set the toasted walnuts aside and heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet. Then sauté the mushrooms until they are golden. Add the cream and stir over medium heat until the cream starts to thicken slightly. Then turn the heat to low, add the pepper, basil, walnuts, and parmesan. Stir the sauce until it is smooth. Do not boil. Serve sauce over ravioli with a tossed salad, some steamed broccoli, and fresh bread.

The Dessert: Death by Chocolate for 2

2 small bowls

3-4 large brownie squares

about 2-3 tbs. Kahlua

Chocolate mousse (Jell-O instant works well)

1 large Heath Bar

Whipped cream

Take the cool brownies and poke the tops of each brownie with a fork and pour on a little Kahlua (or strong coffee). After the Kahlua has been absorbed, break the brownies into large pieces and place 1/4 of the crumbs in the bottom of each bowl. Then cover each layer with chocolate mousse, Heath Bar, and whipped cream. Repeat and refrigerate.

Now with a menu like that, candle light, a little soft music, and what the heck, call Calyx & Corolla, who would want to brave the crowds on Friday? My table will be set for two and I'm skipping the hockey game. Any takers?

Bake Your Heart Out 1997