Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/264109
released a second CD, Nearer the Sun, which renowned jazz critic Scott Yanow lauded as "a particularly strong effort from a jazz singer well worth discovering," the release notes. For more information, visit alexiscole.com. Saxophonist Alexander began playing piano at age 6, but "the tenor sax became his obses- sion" while he was at Indiana University, the release explains. In 1991, he placed second at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, "a triumph that catapulted him into the whirlwind life of a professional jazz musician," the release adds. He played with organ trios on Chicago's South Side, made his recording debut with Charles Earland in 1991 and cut his first album as a leader, Straight Up, that same year, the release notes. For more information about Alexander, visit ericalexanderjazz.com. "New York-based jazz pianist, arranger and producer John di Martino has been described as a 'shape-shifter' for his genre-leaping musical creativity," the release says. He has performed and recorded with David "Fathead" Newman, Pat Martino, Houston Person and Taj Mahal. He is sought after as a musical director and his talents as arranger and pia- nist can be heard on recordings with Gloria Lynn and Grady Tate, as well as R&B artists Joe Thomas and Chico DeBarge, the release continues. For more information about Di Martino, visit johndimartino.com. Bass player Finck has performed with such esteemed and diverse artists as Dizzy Gillespie, The Manhattan Transfer, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Rod Stewart, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Tony Bennett and Andre Previn, the release says. His discography lists more than 100 recordings, including platinum- and gold-selling records with Rod Stewart, Natalie Cole and Elton John, the release adds. For more information about Finck, visit davidfinck.net. "One of the many young hard bop revivalists to have arrived on the scene in the late '70s and early '80s," drummer Kenny Washington has been in particular demand with such legendary performers as Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry and Tommy Flanagan, the release notes. Washington's recording discography numbers more than 500 records, including collabora- tions with Ahmad Jamal, Clark Terry, Benny Green, David "Fathead" Newman, Freddy Cole, Jane Monheit, Arturo Sandoval, Betty Carter and Dizzy Gillespie, it adds. Bob Newhart will be back at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota on Feb. 25, so "prepare to roll around in the aisles in fits of laughter!," a news release says. Newhart was an accountant when, at the age of 30, he began creating monologues as a diversion from his everyday life, the release points out. His career "dramatically changed path," the release adds in an understatement. BOB NEWHART RETURNING TO THE VAN WEZEL STAGE He has been the star of two successful television shows, 14 feature films and mil- lions of sales in albums worldwide. He has won many awards, including Grammys, The Mark Twain Prize for Humor and a P e a b o d y Aw a r d . I n 2 0 1 3 , h e r e c e i v e d his first Emmy, for Outstanding Guest Actor in an appearance on CBS's The Big Bang Theory. Sarasota News Leader February 21, 2014 Page 118