The bad news first — Diana Krall won't be coming back for the GAM Foundation's 2000-2001 jazz concert season.
The good news? Sergio Mendes will open this year's series. Won't hearing "Mais Que Nada" make up for Krall's absence?
Known to Utah residents as "Jazz at the Hilton" for the past five years, the series will now be known as "Jazz at the City Centre Sheraton," after the hotel was renamed. Based on co-founder Gordon Hanks' prediction, however, the name change won't alter the quality of the series.
Several favorites will be returning from last year's season, including the electrifying Michel Camilo Trio, which ignited and surprised a packed audience with Latin piano stylings at its season opener. Those who saw the show will remember a smiling man who played so fast his hands appeared as little more than a blur above the keys.
"It was one of those magic nights. He just blew everybody away," Hanks said. "Everyone left with their mouths hanging open."
Singer-guitarist John Pizzarelli will also return for a second time, along with his trio — made up of brother Michael on bass and pianist Ray Kennedy. They released a new album, "Kisses in the Rain," earlier this year. The singer, who sounds eerily similar to Chet Baker, is known for his ability to tap into everything from jazz standards to Beatles songs and for perfectly nailing Nat King Cole originals.
Eliane Elias, who brought the series a taste from her native Brazil with original and traditional Brazilian jazz last year, will shake things up a bit by bringing a quintet, as opposed to her intimate trio sound.
Also making appearances this year will be noted pianist Tommy Flanagan, the Afro-Cuban sound of trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, Jeremy Davenport (who has been oft-compared to Harry Connick Jr.), the straight-ahead jazz of the Terence Blanchard Quartet, and more.
This year's 2000-2001 season is as follows:
Sept. 11 — Sergio Mendes & Brasil 2000
Sept. 18 — John Pizzarelli Trio
Oct. 30 — Ray Brown Trio
Nov. 13 — Tommy Flanagan, Peter Washington, Louis Nash
Dec. 4 — Arturo Sandoval Quartet
Jan. 15 — Steps Ahead
Feb. 12 — Jeremy Davenport Quartet
Mar. 12 — Christian McBride, Louis Nash, Bennie Green
Apr. 9 — Michel Camilo Trio
Apr. 23 — Terence Blanchard Quartet
May 14 — Eliane Elias Quartet
General admission tickets are $20, available at Holladay Pharmacy, 278-0411. All concerts are at the Sheraton Ballroom, 150 West 500 South, and start at 7:30 p.m.
E-mail: dmoody@desnews.com