the MUSIC goes 'round and 'round (and so does Allen Kanovsky - and his friends!)

...and it turns out to be an amazing weekend of sound. I know that part of this is a day late but me and a couple of friends have been a little busy with getting around and listening. It all started Saturday afternoon with my preparing my world famous guacamole(at least in my mind) and special formula refrito frijoles y queso dip for the group that is going to Arts Garage to hear Little Mike and the Tornadoes. I load the cooler with ice a couple of bottles of Voga pinot grigio, chips, the aforementioned guac and dip, plastic glasses and napkins. The damn thing ways a ton. Fortunately when I enter the garage adjacent to Arts Garage, the folks I am meeting are there and so I get Charlie(Boyer that is) to "tote that barge" and lift the cooler. With Charlie are Debby Strickland(photographer) and guitarist Famous Frank Ward. When we arrive at our table we are pleasantly surprised to find Piano Bob and his friend Mary seated there.-----yeah,yeah,the music----. First a bit of Little Mike history. He is Michael Markowitz. Born and raised in The Bronx. When he started his musical career he has some measure of success and enjoys every minute of it. His kids are born a couple of years apart and Little Mike forsakes his "road" life to help his wife raise them. They buy a farm, raising beef and pork. The years go by and the kids are grown. His love of the music has never abated. He returns to the BLUES with the release of a new CD. At the time of this writing he is in Portugal, headlining a BLUES Festival (BBBlues) there. Saturday night he was at Arts Garage with an old band mate, Tony O on guitar, Danny Hamilton(bass) and the drummer, swinging and enjoying every moment on stage was Jonathan Buck. The band plays traditional "Chicago" style BLUES. Little Mike plays harp, piano and does the vocals. He likes to play while walking through the audience which adds to the attendees enjoyment. During the second set both Famous Frank and Piano Bob were invited up to join in. And so started an exceptional weekend of music. When the show at Arts Garage concluded, Debby, Charlie, Piano Bob, Mary, Frank, Little Mike and I headed out for the Funky Biscuit to see Albert Castiglia with Graham Wood Drout on bass, Bob Amsel(drums) and the fabulous Roosevelt Collier on electric steel. This quartet feeds off one another to make listening to the BLUES, something special. Charlie's old buddy Frank Papitto has joined us there and is really enjoying the music. The thing that I notice about most BLUES stars is their willingness to share the stage with visiting artists. Albert invites Little Mike up and the Jam is on. Oh boy, is it ever on. We all 'hang' 'til the last note fades in to the full moon night.

Sunday starts early with a Boogie-Woogie brunch at The Big Easy. Why? Because Piano Bob along with Bonefish Johnny(guitar) perform there every Sunday. Boogie, BLUES and a little swing is a really good way to start your day of rest. The bloody Mary's were good and so was the brunch fare. 

Back into the car, Debby, Charlie and I head for Avenue D in downtown Miami for the South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame and Sunshine JAZZ societies awards ceremony for last years inductees which include Joe Donato and Dolph Castellano. Without spending 3 and a half million to build out a club, Avenue D has created a great venue for JAZZ lovers.

When we get there the 'house' band, Chuck Bergeron(bass), Dolph(piano) and Carl Ott on drums are on stage and swinging. In the audience are the "Real" Tracy Fields(WLRN), Rick Katz(MJC), Joe's wife Kathleen, my buddy Bill Rutan and lots of familiar faces that I know from all the JAZZ joints that I frequent. Alice Day is the hostess and Tracy will help out as M.C. Mel Dancy(vocals) and Daniell(congas) are there and will perform as well. Joe is announced and joins the trio. He sometimes plays alto and mini, simultaneously. Quite a feat. He also sings and I must admit just as in the song title he is "Getting Better". 

Ms. Alice Day has an inimitable style and her horn emulating vocals are a delight. Mel gets up and adds to the pleasure being meted out. A great afternoon for South Florida JAZZ.

It's still early and we head back north to 'toity toid' Fort Lauderdale, where BJB's and FishTales are.

 Joel Dasilva and the Midnight Howl are at FishTales with guest J.L.Fulks. Juanita Dixon and Jeff Prime are at Blue Jeans BLUES. BLUES-JAZZ-BLUES. "Round and 'round". Lo and behold Piano Bob and Mary are there too, visiting at both joints.  Debby and Charlie head to FishTales and I park my butt at BJB's. Ron 'anonymous', his sister Bettie, Alfreda and her friend Geneva are there. Babette is on her eternally reserved bar stool. I sit down at a table where 2 couples are already seated. One of the guys looks familiar. Ken. Sure! I saw him when I was at the Original Fat Cats the other night listening to Albert Castiglia. Playing along with Juanita are Mitch Goldstein(Hammond with a recently added Leslie) and Jimmy Daniel on drums. Juanita is an old style BLUES singer who utilizes double entendre and sometimes straight on sexual commentary to enhance her performance. I get to dance(and so does Ron'anonymous') with several of the ladies. Charlie and Debby get up to 'slow dance'. They made even me, blush. I am wearing down after enjoying a wonderful weekend of music, music, music. Charlie, Debby and I head back to my place. We make a brief stop at the Big Easy. No, not for more music. Debby had left her sun glasses behin and what does a glamorous doll---yeah, yeah---do without her shades. Good night Mrs.Calabash, wherever you are.

Watch for posting of some great pics from the weekend!