Buffalo native Carmen Intorre @ the Tralf

Buffalo jazz drummer Carmen Intorre’s father believed in his son enough to cajole the Community Music School to lower their admissions age from eight to five. Initial studies with Gary Rutkowski then went on to include many area greats, including legendary drummer Louis Marino.

Talent and work ethic helped Carmen to be chosen as one of seven musicians nationally to perform at the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Concert in Chicago (1999). It was there Carmen met and forged an instant bond with eventual Swing Journal Magazine “International New Star Award” winner (2003), trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, whose jazz quintet performs Thursday, June 26, at the Tralf Music Hall (8pm, tickets $15). In Chicago, paired for the first time after a phone call and one rehearsal, a new musical family was born. The two would become musical guinea pigs at Juilliard for the new Juilliard jazz studies program. Carmen’s chops come honestly. Wynton Marsalis insisted he learn the no-high-hat drum set for a Louis Armstrong Hot Five band revival concert. Embracing “unlearning” would lead to new learning for Carmen.

Carmen’s mantra is “there were always lessons.” His family was always behind him, and in many cases out in front of him for as long as he can remember. Carmen recounted recently being admonished for walking off for a moment at Home Depot while his adoring dad extolled Carmen’s musical virtues to another shopper in the store. “You never do that, son.”

Carmen knows those lessons well. New York jazz vibraphonist Joe Locke (a Spider Martin alumnus) intimated he loved Carmen’s drumming because he has “that upstate heart.” Buffalo goes where Carmen goes. Having performed with world-renowned Niagara Falls organist Joey DeFrancesco as well as Dominick (M&I records), and on productions such as the PBS’ Legends of Jazz series, hosted by Ramsey Lewis, the city by the lake courses through his veins.

In Dominick’s music we are treated to hints of Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard. Miles resounds, as well. There is a decidedly Brazilian underbelly to Dominick’s music and his arrangements. It is patient, pensive, and rewarding to the lucky listener. Dominick allows the spaces in the breathy, lush, but economical backup provided by pianist Adam Birnbaum, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and percussionist Mathias Kunzli to be music and fills them selectively with thoughtful, emotional melodies that trace their routes through styles from opera to bop.

Carmen understands being good to people, staying open to other’s ideas, and always having lessons. I encourage you to come take a joyous lesson with Carmen Intorre and Dominick Farinacci at the Tralf Music Hall on Thursday, June 26, and be a part of the ever-evolving history of jazz. Bring your mom and dad along. They’ll want to meet Carmen Sr., and, likely, he’ll want to meet them.

—phil sims