Bert Dalton + Chris Calloway /Straight Up + Arlen Asher

Multi-woodwind maestro, Arlen Asher is one of New Mexico’s long-standing jazz luminaries. Born in 1929 in a small farming community in Missouri, Asher moved to Albuquerque in 1958. Prior to becoming a full time musician, Asher worked as an award-winning producer and announcer for KNME-TV, KOB-TV and KHFM radio. He left broadcasting to establish a private woodwind studio in 1965 teaching woodwind fundamentals and jazz improvisation, ever since, to hundreds of students throughout the US. In the 1970’s, he formed the Arlen Asher-Bob Brown Quartet, which formed the basis of two jazz television series for KNME-TV and a series of concerts that included guest artists such as trumpeter Clark Terry. In 1994, Arlen Asher joined drummer, John Trentacosta’s group, Straight Up, playing with them ever since. Asher has appeared on numerous CD’s including his own 2002 release, Another Spring, featuring a virtual Who’s Who of New Mexico jazz talent. He also appears on Straight Up’s recording Live Jazz in the Desert, a top-selling local jazz CD in New Mexico. Straight Up has appeared at many jazz festivals, including the Tucson and Sedona Jazz Festivals and Jazz In The Sangres in Colorado. At 79, Arlen Asher remains active as a performer as well as hosting “The Jazz Experience” broadcast every Tuesday morning on Santa Fe Public Radio station, KSFR. Along with Arlen Asher, woodwinds; Straight Up features leader, John Trentacosta, drums, NY trumpeter Michael Morreale; Bob Fox, piano; and Mike Olivola, bass.

Chris Calloway is a singer, an actor, a television personality, a producer, and a band-leader. She is the daughter of the famous Cotton Club bandleader and international icon Cab Calloway and is heir to that American musical legacy. With an introduction by her father, 30 years ago, she began her career on the Ed Sullivan show. For 20 years, until his death in 1995, she performed worldwide in the finest clubs and concert halls with Cab Calloway and his Hi De Ho Orchestra. Her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, took her around the world and finally to Santa Fe at the Santa Fe Stages International Theatre Festival. In 1999 she re-formed The Hi De Ho Orchestra for the JVC Jazz Festival which led to a 55-city Cab Calloway’s Legacy of Swing big band tour. Returning to Santa Fe in 2001 she wrote and starred in a one-woman show entitled Clouds of Joy about her Aunt Blanche Calloway, the only known black female to front (in 1931!) an “all male” band. Chris Calloway will be accompanied tonight, as she often is these days, by The Bert Dalton Trio one of Santa Fe’s finest groups comprising pianist Bert Dalton; bassist Rob “Milo” Jaramillo; and drummer John Bartlit.

Tickets $15–$30. Member, Student and Multiple Concert Sales Discounts available at Outpost Performance Space Box Office 505-268-0044; Lensic Box Office 505-988-1234; or on the web www.ticketssantafe.org