Kimberly Gordon at Scat Jazz Lounge

This just in from mi amigo maximo Ricki Derek -- Chicago jazz singer Kimberly Gordon will perform two shows next week at Ricki's Scat Jazz Lounge.

Gordon has been a part of the national jazz scene for 10 years, playing top venues and receiving high acclaim from critics and musicians. During her four-year stint in New York City, Gordon sang at The Village Vanguard, Bradley's and Sweet Basil and appeared regularly at Smalls and Cleopatra's Needle.

She shared the stage with jazz greats including Roy Hargrove, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Betty Carter, Marcus Roberts, Captain Jack McDuff, Von Freeman, and others.

Gordon plays at 9 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 11, and Saturday, Jan. 12. Tickets are only available the night of the show at the door for $8. Table reservations for four or more are only accepted for reservations before 10 p.m. and only held for 15 minutes. 21 and up only.

Scat Jazz Lounge -- Opening Dec. 6

We finally have a date -- Ricki Derek's Scat Jazz Lounge will open on Dec. 6!

Ricki will be joined by "special friends" for the big grand opening party. You can find the Scat Jazz Lounge at 111 West 4th Street in the basement of the Woolworth Building. For more information, visit the club's Web site. For more on Ricki Derek, read the West and Clear interview.

Scat Jazz Lounge Update

Ricki Derek sez construction is about to begin – that’s the good news. The bad news is it looks like he’s hedging a little on a 2007 opening. He sez they are trying to open before the holidays, which is pushed back from October, which is pushed back from … well, you know the drill. Get here quick, Rick. We’re waiting!

Scat Jazz Lounge Update

Looks like the projected summer opening of the Scat Jazz Lounge in downtown Fort Worth has been moved back again. Ricki Derek announced on his Web site yesterday that the club development has hit a few delays but is back on track for an October opening. Stay tuned for more.

Ornette Coleman Wins A Pulitzer

Fort Worth's own jazz legend Ornette Coleman won a Pulitzer Prize on Monday for his latest work, Sound Grammar. "It means to me what it would mean to any American person, that ... America has a very good heart for artists and creative people," the saxophonist told the Startlegram's Preston Jones. "I was shocked to realize that I have actually made logic into something that has meaning, which I call music."

Although he's touring in the fall, right now their are no plans to come to Fort Worth or anywhere else in Texas. "I haven't heard about coming to Fort Worth," said Coleman, an I.M. Terrell High School alumnus. "I haven't given up hoping that it happens. I'm sure I'm going to get there one day."

Bring it on home, Ornette. And congratulations!

RELATED: Dallas' Lawrence Wright, author of one of my favorite books about Texas -- In the New World -- also took home a Pulitzer for general non-fiction Monday for The Looming Tower, his best-selling investigation of the 9-11 attacks. Congratulations!

Scat Jazz Lounge Update

Because I got tired of waiting, I e-mailed Ricki Derek and asked him whither the Scat Jazz Lounge? Here's his reply:

After some logistical challenges and a few push backs... It looks like we will be trying to open sometime this summer. I hesitate to give a date as we have a couple of minor hurdles yet. Just keep checking my website and in a couple months or before there should be some concrete info and dates. Not only will info be posted, but eventually we will have the site for the club up and running. (before the opening, but it is not up yet) www.scatjazzlounge.com. It's gonna be cool.

So know you know, too.

Jazz Comes Back To Cowtown

Swingmeister Ricki Derek and his pals are opening up a jazz club called the Scat Jazz Lounge in downtown Fort Worth's Burk Burnett Building, which also houses Jubilee Theater.

According to his Web site, the Scat Lounge will be "a classic venue featuring live jazz and a great mix of recorded, old school tunes. No beer signs, no tv's and no juke, just a cool lounge for drinking and enjoying. Similar to NY's Smalls or The Village Vanguard, Scat will be downstairs with a cozy, big city feel." Ricki and his partners expect to open in early 2007.

Michael Price of the Fort Worth Business Press recently had an interesting take on the Jazz History of Fort Worth.

I'm looking forward to the Scat Jazz Lounge, if only for the fact that I won't have to drive to Big D to catch Ricki's act. Bring it.

One thing I'm wondering: is that Ricki on the latest Lotto Texas radio commercial?

Sound Grammar

NPR catches up with Fort Worth's Ornette Coleman.