Guitarist helps keep jazz fires burning

"My assessment is the jazz scene in Norfolk is not good," said jazz guitarist, composer and educator Paul Renz. "It's no reflection on the players. They don't have places to play. I've played the Unitarian Church because there was no jazz club."

These were the words of Norfolk native Renz nearly two years ago before a gig at Main Street Jazz in Suffolk. The club has since closed its doors, and Renz, now an established artist based in Minneapolis, is once again performing at the Unitarian Church in Norfolk, Saturday, September 6 at 8 p.m.

Renz has performed in Hampton Roads every other year since his 1995 debut, "Everlasting." He is touring with Anders Bostrom (flute), Jonathan Thomas (bass) and Nathan Fryett (drums) in support of his sixth album, "ReBop."

In 1970, Renz graduated from Granby High School. He began playing in rock 'n' roll and blues bands, but as he became a more sophisticated player, he was gradually exposed to jazz. Renz was a regular performer of jazz at the Judge's Chambers, the Sheraton at Military Circle, The Jewish Mother, Cogan's and Potpourri.

He moved to Boston in 1982 to attend the Berklee College of Music and earned a bachelor's degree in jazz composition and arranging three years later.

He enrolled in the New England Conservatory and graduated summa cum laude in 1987 with a master's degree in composition and jazz studies.

He's written two books, "9 2-Part Inventions for Piano" and "An Introduction to Sight Singing."

Renz returned to Norfolk and taught at the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk from 1987 to 1993 and at Tidewater Community College from 1989 to 1991 before moving to Minneapolis in 1993.

Tickets for the Paul Renz Quartet are $10 at the door. Call (757) 627-5371 for more info. (For a review of his latest CD, see Page 6.)

B.E.T. encore

In January, Newport News R&B singer Young Brittany scored a slot on BET's "106 & Park" competition. She makes a return appearance on Thursday as part of the all-star female R&B championship event.

Metal guitar clinic

Guitarist John 5 has had to cancel his clinic/performance scheduled for Wednesday, September 10 at Alpha Music in Virginia Beach. The Rob Zombie six-stringer hurt his shoulder in a biking accident (and there is no John 4 available to fill in). His publicist said he intends to reschedule.

Squeezebox

There's something just plain fun about the sound of an accordion.

"Squeezeplay," a 25-song sampler from Virginia Beach accordionist Sid Sward, takes the listener on a sonic tour highlighted with visions of a Parisian cafe and a scene from an Austrian restaurant.

The songs range from "Bei Mir Bist Du Shayn," a popular Yiddish ditty from the 1930s, to the New Orleans-flavored "Tiger Rag." Guest musicians include Karen Stowe (violin), Dave Jacobson (tuba) and Bob Marquart (trumpet). Sward will perform many of these tracks at a CD release party Wednesday, September 10 at The Boot in Norfolk.

Welcome to his nightmare

Beginning Monday, September 8, Alice Cooper's nationally syndicated "Nights with Alice Cooper" will begin airing locally on WNOR FM99 weeknights from 7 p.m. to midnight. The shock rocker's show was previously broadcast during the second half of 2005 on Max FM.

Jeff Maisey, (757) 222-3934, jmaisey@pilotonline.com