I've written in this column more than a couple of times about the local jazz scene, its ins and outs, ups and downs. But you don't have to be an expert to know that the scene's leading light is saxophonist and bandleader Dan Moretti.

Being a big fish in a small pond, or the victim of the "Tall Poppy" syndrome, as they call it in Australia, usually brings with it the ol' double-edged sword. You pretty much get what you want out of the local scene. But then, you can use up all the enthusiasm of jazz fans statewide in a heartbeat.

Dan Moretti realizes this, and has continued to make his mark outside the region, even internationally, growing his reputation where the reception isn't so, well, expected. Still, this isn't about the local jazz scene. This is about an artist who continues to evolve, who has applied himself so thoroughly and wholeheartedly to his art that what was originally a bona fide jazz talent has now blossomed into a real jazz hero.

Dan Moretti's latest project, one among many, is Once Through, a band consisting of Marty Ballou on bass, Marty Richards on drums, Tim Ray on keys, and Bruce Bartlett on guitar. Once Through has just released Stories, their second album. Once again, the ensemble has recorded their material in one take to capture the essence and spontaneity of great jazz.

Recorded and mixed at Sound Station Seven in Providence for the Whaling City Sound label based in New Bedford (of course), Stories is a top-level jazz adventure, full of courage and fiery jazz exploration. It's lyrical, melodic, edgy, and entertaining. "Writing and performing music is always shaped by momentary influence," says Moretti in his album notes. "It is my feeling that in those moments anything is possible." Moretti has proven time and time again on this local jazz scene that anything is indeed possible. And a-one and a-two . . .

Moretti and Once Through celebrate the release of Stories this Friday (the 7th) at Chan's (267 Main Street, Woonsocket). Check it out on the Web at www.danmoretti.com/.

M-80 EXPLODES! Lots of great things happening on the M-80 front that I just couldn't sit on. First off, buzzplay.net recently concluded its "Best Unsigned Band in the US" contest and named M-80 as the winner. Thousands of bands entered and the results were based on a bariety of factors, but fan support was huge, as was an original sound. The band also got a management deal out of it and an all-expenses-paid trip to Hollywood to play the Viper Room on March 26 for a high-profile label showcase. They'll be going west for a week or so and play a few shows while they're there.

Also, the band just signed a contract to do six dates on the Warped Tour this summer, snagging gigs in Detroit, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Philly. Needless to say, the band is juiced. You can join in on the fun with them at their next big local gig. It takes place March 15 at the Met.

Congrats on all the awesome news!

THE IDITAROD IS A SLED-DOG RACE. But it's also a local band that happens to be very busy. This Sunday afternoon they'll celebrate the release of not one but two records at Atlas Bower Books (245 Meeting Street, Providence) -- Yuletide on split UK/USA label Elsie and Jack, and River Nektar on BlueSanct/Secretly Canadian. It's a big occasion, and it's an early show with a 4 p.m. start, so there's no excuse not to go. The bill also features Barn Burning in an acoustic setting. Why not do a little browsing and a little winding down before the work week revs up again? Help Carin, Jeffrey, William, and newest member Mirian (cello) celebrate the release of the two new discs. Admission is free and the vibe is good.

The band will be showcasing its new music in a full-on tour, stopping not Stateside but in far-flung places like Wales, Scotland, and Iceland. It seems the Iditarod is a long race indeed, with many-tentacled arms reaching out internationally. Check theiditarod.org for more details.

Plus! Jeffrey and Carin have started a new record label called Secret Eye, a truly cool and seemingly eclectic (surprise!) enterprise with some sweet releases coming up, including a disc by the fabulous, aforementioned Barn Burning. More on this endeavor later.

WANDERING EYE. Paul Caraher and his duo, known profoundly as Caraher, will play a show this Friday (the 7th) at AS220 at 10 p.m. Caraher is an electric guitar/drums/bass loops duo mixing Herbie Hancock-inspired jazz and funk with outer limits borne from Mingus and Coltrane.

Over the years, Bill Harley has proven he has the goods. Time after time, story after story, tune after tune, Harley has demonstrated the ability to touch us all in lots of different ways. He revisits Stone Soup this weekend, and you should, too, to see if the ol' hound dawg has still more tricks up his sleeve. The show is Saturday at 8 p.m.; tickets are $10. Please note that until further notice, the shows at Stone Soup now take place at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, right across the street from Slater Mill in Pawtucket.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, a Lookout Records act with a new disc out this week, will be doing an in-store on Wednesday (the 12th) at In Your Ear over on Thayer. Call 861-1515 for more details. But it's a free show, with super-cool music. That might be all you need to know.

There's a big night of rhythm and blues over at Sal's in Johnston. On Friday (the 7th) you can catch can't-miss act Steve Smith and the Nakeds, a bunch of guys who have "good times" down to a science. The very next night (the 8th), Sal's presents the Sugar Ray Norcia Big Band, featuring Monster Mike Welch on guitar, along with Roomful alum Carl Querfurth on trombone, and Greg Mazell on sax. It should be a great night of music. Hell, why don't you just stay the weekend? Shows start at 9:30 p.m.

It's not local, but you can file this one under up-and-comers. Twenty-one-year-old blues songwriter Guy Blakeslee, who goes by the nom de plume Entrance, will make his Providence debut at Julian's on Tuesday (the 11th). He'll be previewing songs off his upcoming full-length, The Kingdom of Heaven Must Be Taken By Storm. The Chicago-based Entrance, with just his voice and guitar in hand, evokes shades of Zeppelin, Syd Barrett, and Skip James, especially in the latter's haunting, sophisticated, Bentonian approach to the blues idiom. At this show, Entrance will open for rising songwriter Devandra Banhardt. He'll hit the road with Cat Power in March.

And finally, some music news about Jazz Bastards, a two-time nominee for Best Jam Band in the BMP. The band is currently beavering away on their second CD. In the meantime, they're eager to return to the stage, so they have two big shows lined up this weekend. On Friday (the 7th) they take over the West End Cafe, and on Saturday, they throw a big bash at the Ocean Mist. Click over to www.jazzbastards.org/ for further info.

E-mail me your music news at big.daddy1@cox.net.

Issue Date: February 7 -13, 2003