January 11 - 18, 1 9 9 6

Regattabar Jazz Festival

It no longer matters that the Regattabar Jazz Festival is not really, by any definition, a "festival." It is the most solid jazz schedule in town (closely rivaled by the other estimable hotel jazz room across the river, Scullers). Now celebrating its eighth anniversary, the R-Bar fest began as a weekend of shows in 1989, then a celebration of seven acts in five weeks the following year; it now runs 20 weeks, from January into the beginning of June. As if to blur distinctions further, the first five acts listed on the festival schedule were also listed on the fall/winter schedule.

Many of the big names on this year's festival (scheduled to be announced in a press conference today, Thursday, at the R-Bar) are repeats from '95: Elvin Jones (February 1-4), Sonny Rollins (April 6), Pharoah Sanders (February 28-March 2), Cyrus Chestnut (April 9-10), Tommy Flanagan (April 4-6), Christian McBride (May 9-10), Betty Carter (March 5-9), and Abbey Lincoln (May 22-25).

But besides this almost standard feast of famous talent, booker Fenton Hollander (who brought jazz to the Regattabar beginning in 1985) always has his ears and eyes open for one-of-a-kind concerts. Surely one of the most highly awaited this year will be the appearance together of two alto-saxophone masters: Phil Woods, a bebopper of the first order, and Benny Carter, whose mercurial playing, composing and arranging have spanned seven decades (he's 88 years old). The two collaborated on My Man Benny, My Man Phil (MusicMasters, 1990) but rarely perform together. Who knows, maybe Benny will even play some trumpet for the occasion (his fine second horn). Similarly rare is a duo appearance by saxman Branford Marsalis and the talented patriarch of the talented Marsalis clan, pianist Ellis (March 10 at Jordan Hall). Also doing the high-powered duo thing are vibist Gary Burton and pianist Mokoto Ozone (May 2-4).

Cuban keyboard hurricane Gonzalo Rubalcaba makes his Boston debut March 28-30. Keyboardist Donal Fox, who crosses out-there jazz and classical devices to dramatic effect, brings in tenor/bass-clarinet master David Murray to celebrate the release of their duet album, Ugly Beauty (Evidence), on April 30. Other record-release parties come from the Either/Orchestra (May 15) and E/O bandmember Charlie Kohlhase with his quintet (May 29).

Other international Names? Dave Holland with his quartet (February 15-17), guitarist John McLaughlin doing the organ-trio thing with Joey DeFrancesco and Dennis Chambers (March 1), Joe Lovano with Tim Hagans and Kenny Werner (March 13-14), and Pat Martino (April 18-20).

The Regattabar is in the Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett Street, Harvard Square. Call 876-7777 for tickets and complete schedule information.

-- Jon Garelick