Don Durkee's Favorite Concert - D.C. Festival!

Pianist Don Durkee is a Palm Coast resident who's been mighty busy over the years, working with familiar Florida jazz names like Linda Cole, Ray Guiser, Bill Doyle, Pat D'Aguanno, Ron Gillotti, Bill Prince, Jan Crawford, Roland Fleming, Barry Kelsey and many, many more! His attractive playing is characterized by both thoughtfulness and verve. Last year he released a wonderful trio album called "Our Delight".

Don with Pete Gemski 2012

Don attended an almost unbelievable happening during one of the greatest peaks of jazz: a festival sponsored by JFK's Music Committee of the People to People program. The festival took place at the Uline Arena (now the Washington Coliseum). Below is Don's telling of the incredible experience!


1st International Jazz Festival May 31 - June 3 1962

I went to this concert my senior year in High School... I was just getting into jazz, buying 33 1/3 rpm records and listening to them on an inexpensive record player which I had bought at a drug store for about $24.95.

I went to the Saturday evening event and it was a barn-burner. It looked like a sellout crowd because I
did not see many empty seats.Oscar Peterson Trio led

Oscar Peterson Trio, early sixties

off the set with guest artist Roy Eldridge followed by Gerry Mulligan Quartet. Horace Silver Quintet was next and then Herbie Mann. Dave Brubeck had his quartet, and then up stepped Monk with his unmistakable harmonic style and his quartet. The Clara Ward Singers provided a nice change of pace. Duke Ellington Orchestra led off with "Cottontail" at a very high tempo. I remember it had the whole place jumping. "Mood Indigo" followed by "Satin Doll" were next. I went down to the stage after the concert and spoke with several of the Ellington sidemen: Johnny Hodges, Aaron Bell, Cat Anderson and Paul Gonsalves. I got them to autograph my program as well.

Basie Band in 1962

I returned for the Sunday, June 3 concert. The Count Basie Orchestra opened to a packed house. I remember the fantastic trumpet section featuring solos by Thad Jones and Snooky Young. And yes, the drummer was a powerhouse named Sonny Payne. I think Frank Wess and Eddie Newman were also there in the sax section along with Marshall Royal. I remember Basie trying to wave the spotlight off him and onto the soloist then performing. He tried several times and the lighting man finally got the message. An uptempo chart called "Whirlybird" had the crowd going and then, of course, they ended with the immortal "One 'O Clock Jump". The Slide Hampton Octet was next followed by Gloria Lynne and the Earl May Trio.

Thelonious in NY 1962

Then the George Shearing Sextet.

I had a great two days there and saw/heard a lot of the top masters and legends of jazz. By the way, I don't
remember how much tickets cost, but they were not expensive. A lot of things were cheaper back then.

Thanks so much Don - for giving us a glimpse into such a momentous occasion for jazz and the world! You can check out some of Don's music and playing at his very stylish blog. - PCJ

Woody Herman at the Uline Arena;
photo courtesy of 1959 BHS Mustangs.

Bill Doyle's Top 10 Jazz Albums

Drummer Bill Doyle and his sweet red Gretsch kit '09

We continue our postings of individual lists from our popular Top 50 Jazz Albums List with Palm Coast's own Bill Doyle. Bill has been keeping things swinging through thick and thin in NE Florida since 2004 with his own trio. He began playing drums at 12, studying under some serious cats including Larry Rosen from the Dave Grusin band; working in the New York/New Jersey area with some of it's top jazz, pop and society musicians. He managed to maintain a part-time music career while becoming quite successful full-time in marketing.

Nowadays Bill is a high-profile musician in St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach and more, performing with stellar musicians like Ray Guiser and Cheryl Page; and especially with his crowd-drawing trio, featuring Don Durkee on piano and Frank Capek on bass. His top 10 jazz albums list is an exposition in exquisite taste!

1. Woody Herman - 1964  When my Dad ,who was a musician,first brought this home I was in awe and could not stop playing it and tried to master playing along with the up tempo tunes.Great charts, great solos and Jake Hanna knew how to push a big band.

2. Dave Brubeck - Time Out My role model as a drummer was Joe Morello (R.I.P.). His skill set and ability to be totally musical was unbelievable. I tried to imitate him in every way. Hah! That's a joke.

3. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross - The Hottest New Group in Jazz  Just too cool and from this I learned to appreciate scat.

4. Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um  Timeless, could have been recorded yesterday.

5. Joe Morello - It's About Time  Again, I loved Joe. This was a straight-ahead jazz album with some very cool work with Phil Woods, Gary Burton and Joe.

6. Jazz Crusaders - Live at the Light House 1966  I can listen to this for hours. Joe Sample grooves as does Wayne Henderson.

7. Sinatra and Basie  Big fan of both.

8. Ella and Basie  Big fan of Ella, too.

9. John Coltrane - Blue Train  He's just too good with Lee Morgan, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones to boot!

10. Tie with all the other great work with great artists!



Thanks Bill for the list and for keeping jazz thriving in PC! You can check out more of Bill at his youtube channel, and below is a video of the Bill Doyle Trio + 2 (Pete Gemski - valve trombone; Larry Dickson - baritone sax) performing at the Three Dogs Grille this past February; they're playing Frank Capek's original "Abba". - PCJ

Bill Doyle Trio @ Three Dogs Grille 1/18/12

Bill Doyle

This Saturday marked the return of live jazz bands in Palm Coast! For three savored hours, the Bill Doyle Trio worked through their perfect mix of easy-going straight-ahead jazz, uptempo hardbop and some jazzy bossas.

(l-r) Frank Capek, Don Durkee, Bill Doyle

All three members of the group are from right here in Palm Coast. Bandleader Bill Doyle keeping solid grooves on drums; Frank Capek, a composer regularly featured on our podcasts, was on bass and Don Durkee provided everything you'd want from a jazz pianist - sturdy block-chord harmonies, rich melodic lines and impressively fast licks.

Some of the art on display at Three Dogs Grille

All of this took place at Palm Coast's much anticipated new venue - Three Dogs Grille; a gastropub run by two chefs of distinction, Bob Plugge and Barry Markey. These men insist on bringing some much-needed fine-art atmosphere into PC - all fresh food, a constantly intriguing and delicious menu that is updated often, as is the amazing art on the walls, courtesy of the Hollingsworth Gallery. Add to this the best jazz in the region - and you've got something so many residents have been yearning for - a classy yet homey, cool hang.

Cookin'

This was evidenced by a full-house all night, and even more folks wandering in after the show, saying "Aw, we missed it??" Some highlights were "C Note Jam" by Count Basie and "Like Someone in Love" by Jimmy van Heusen. The crowd, obviously delighting in their plates & beverages, applauded enthusiastically for every song.

Amy Alysia 'sat in' for a few numbers!

A nice surprise for the last set (and perhaps some much-needed consolation for Denver Broncos fans), was the impromptu appearance of Amy Alysia, who wowed the audience with "God Bless the Child" and a refreshing take on the Gershwin standard "Summertime". We caught the later on video and will post it on our Facebook page tonight!

"Summertime..."

The Three Dogs Grille will be having solo jazz artists on Wednesdays, and larger bands on Saturdays. Coming up this Wednesday will be another artist featured on our Podcasts, blues/jazz singer/guitarist George Grosman from Orlando. The Bill Doyle Trio will return on Saturday February 18th.

If you have been missing the earthy yet chic vibe of places like the West Village in NYC, or Boston, or Chicago or even Atlanta - come support this venue, click on their name above and "like" them on Facebook - and be kept in the know about new happenings in Palm Coast. A fine evening! - PCJ

Palm Coast Jazz Episode 5 - January 2012

All-music episode featuring Florida's finest jazz artists from Melbourne, Jacksonville, Cocoa Beach, Boynton Beach & more - straight-ahead, smooth, big band, contemporary & blues!

Right-click the title and select "open in new tab" so you can continue browsing here or elsewhere while you listen! (To download - right-click and select "save file as" or "save target as")

Allison Paris was under the weather during production and unable to host this month's episode - but she'll be back next month!

Host -  Kenny MacKenzie


1 - Introduction ~  Kenny

2 - "Bounce" - The Rainmakerz (Melbourne) website


Richie Mola - drums, Kenny Clarke - keyboards,
Dextor Wilborn - alto sax, Scott McGill - bass,
Dan Wilbourn - tenor & soprano saxes, Tom Heuston - guitar
from the cd "The Rainmakerz"
click to buy at Itunes

2 - "The Ensouled Ones" - Raymond Guiser (Daytona Beach) website
Raymond Guiser - flute, vocals, drum & keyboard programming;
Lawrence App - bass, guitar & percussion; Robin Clarke - vocals
from the cd "Macroism"
To Buy send a check made out to Ray Guiser for $12.99 to
Palm Coast Jazz - 101 Bressler Ln - Palm Coast, FL - 32137
or order by paypal from our store!



4 - "Happy Thoughts"  - Bill Prince (Jacksonville) website
Bill Prince - all instruments except drums
Rick Kirkland - drums
from the album "Happy Thoughts"
album currently unavailable


5 - "Ghost Town" - George Grosman (Orlando) website
George Grosman - electric guitar, Ian MacGillivray - trumpet
Brandon Walker - baritone sax, flute, keyboards & drum programming
Palm Coast Jazz exclusive!
buy George's latest downloadable cd "Water and Wine"


6 - Announcements, Kenny

Sybil Gage

7 - "Ding Dong Blues" - Sybil Gage (Cocoa Beach) website
Sybil Gage - vocals, Leon Olguin - Piano,
Dennis Thompson - Drums, Jerry Hoff - Clarinet,
Joe Caruso - Guitar, Stoney - Harmonica
from the album "NOLA Calling"
click to buy at CD Baby



8 - "Live in St. Augustine" - Bill Doyle Quartet (Palm Coast) website
Don Durkee - piano, Frank Capek - bass,
Bill Doyle - drums

Greg Diaz

9 - "Circadia" - Greg Diaz (Boynton Beach) website
Greg Diaz - tenor saxophone, Eero Turunen - piano,
James McCoy - bass, Rodolfo Zuniga - drums
from an upcoming release
more music by Greg

10 - Closing Announcements - Kenny

(Palm Coast Jazz Closing Theme by Seven Octaves)

If you are a jazz musician in Florida with quality recordings of your original music and would like to submit for future podcasts, please contact us at palmcoastjazz@gmail.com

All recordings and compositions are the property of their respective performers and composers, all rights reserved. This podcast copyright 2012 Kenny MacKenzie. All rights reserved. Please contact for broadcast version.