Submitted by Al Kanovsky 9/27/13
...in the "Land Of Oobladee". No, it was
long before that opus was written. It was 1939. I was 6 months shy of my 8th
birthday. A cool July night. I was wrapped in a blanket and seated in the rumble
seat of a car. The car was located in the parking lot of the Glen Island Casino.
My sister. Florence, (Sissy to me) was inside, dancing with her boyfriend a
drummer by the name of Larry.
I could hear the music. Sure, I had heard 'swing' before on the radio. but I never heard it 'live'. My feet were tappin' and I was shaking my shoulders. I didn't know it but I was doing the "Lindy". How can I remember that night, when I can't remember where I put my glasses? I'll ask you. Do you remember the night when you fell in love for the first time? I was lost forever in the arms of "live music." The band that night was Glenn Miller and they did play "In the Mood". My sister married the drummer when he became the banquet manager of the Hotel Astor. Last night this memory came to life when I went to Ye Olde Falcon Pub to listen to the Mike Norris Big Band. (Every Thursday 8-10). Really a big band. Piano, drums. bass and guitar. 5 piece sax section(2 tenors, 2altos, baritone), 3 trombones and 4 trumpets. They are all worthy of being named because of the way the performed complex charts to perfection. The trumpets--Ryan Chapman, John Shev, Mark Orduay and Stefan Klein Sr. Trombones--Russell Freelan, Tom Lacey and Jim McGonigal. Sax section--Carlos Pinera(bari), Scott Austin and Carlos Perez(altos) and Edgar Rubio & Terry Sturm(tenors). The rhythm section had Joshua Cassette(piano) and far away the youngest member, Ranses Colon(bass), Aaron Stang(guitar) and the bandleader Mike Norris on drums.
What can I say except "They swing". My only regret was that I didn't bring a dancing partner.
They were doing a Basie chart of "Shiny Stockings" when I walked in. Not the simplest but the most interesting of the Basie charts for that song. They did an Ellington tune and then a complex version of the overture to "West Side Story". During the break I spoke with a young man named Mark Cruz. The reason I talked with him was I recognized the accent and shared his enthusiasm for the music we just heard. With Mark was his "good" friend Marla who shared our feelings about the music. The 2d set was short, made up mainly of a tune titled "Channel 1 Suite". If you ever want to see if a band can play, challenge them to 'sight read' that one. Had a great time, listening to a very good band and will have to do it again. I'll remember to bring a partner to swing with.
It's early enough to go to BJB's on 'toity-toid'. The Sound of Vision with guest vocalist Liz Sharpe. Dy-no-mite! When I arrive they are doing an original titled "For the Love of You". Scott Korman plays tenor, EWI and his tugging at my heart strings with a super mellow solo.
The band, Valerio Cantante(left hand doing bass lines, right hand doing what right hands do) and Orlando Machado(drums), swing one which I don't recognize outside of the rhythm. Liz takes the stage to do a very unusual "It Don't Mean A Thing". She does it to a slow rhythmed funk beat. Wow! They do "In the Moonlight" giving Orlando a shot at 'showing off', and he does. They invite a young vocalist, Ali Kringel, to the stage. She opts to do "At Last" and does not imitate anybody else. Nice job. Liz returns and they jump the s--t out of "Going To Kansas City".
Time to say goodnight to all and it's too late for Tracy. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. Special note: Tonight, Nico Wayne Toussaint at The Fish House n Kendall. If you love BLUES harp, you will be there. Nico was one of Flo's favorites. It is so appropriate that he will appear at The Fish House where it was we first heard him.
Today is the anniversary of Flo's passing. Rest Gently in the Lord's Arms my love.
I could hear the music. Sure, I had heard 'swing' before on the radio. but I never heard it 'live'. My feet were tappin' and I was shaking my shoulders. I didn't know it but I was doing the "Lindy". How can I remember that night, when I can't remember where I put my glasses? I'll ask you. Do you remember the night when you fell in love for the first time? I was lost forever in the arms of "live music." The band that night was Glenn Miller and they did play "In the Mood". My sister married the drummer when he became the banquet manager of the Hotel Astor. Last night this memory came to life when I went to Ye Olde Falcon Pub to listen to the Mike Norris Big Band. (Every Thursday 8-10). Really a big band. Piano, drums. bass and guitar. 5 piece sax section(2 tenors, 2altos, baritone), 3 trombones and 4 trumpets. They are all worthy of being named because of the way the performed complex charts to perfection. The trumpets--Ryan Chapman, John Shev, Mark Orduay and Stefan Klein Sr. Trombones--Russell Freelan, Tom Lacey and Jim McGonigal. Sax section--Carlos Pinera(bari), Scott Austin and Carlos Perez(altos) and Edgar Rubio & Terry Sturm(tenors). The rhythm section had Joshua Cassette(piano) and far away the youngest member, Ranses Colon(bass), Aaron Stang(guitar) and the bandleader Mike Norris on drums.
What can I say except "They swing". My only regret was that I didn't bring a dancing partner.
They were doing a Basie chart of "Shiny Stockings" when I walked in. Not the simplest but the most interesting of the Basie charts for that song. They did an Ellington tune and then a complex version of the overture to "West Side Story". During the break I spoke with a young man named Mark Cruz. The reason I talked with him was I recognized the accent and shared his enthusiasm for the music we just heard. With Mark was his "good" friend Marla who shared our feelings about the music. The 2d set was short, made up mainly of a tune titled "Channel 1 Suite". If you ever want to see if a band can play, challenge them to 'sight read' that one. Had a great time, listening to a very good band and will have to do it again. I'll remember to bring a partner to swing with.
It's early enough to go to BJB's on 'toity-toid'. The Sound of Vision with guest vocalist Liz Sharpe. Dy-no-mite! When I arrive they are doing an original titled "For the Love of You". Scott Korman plays tenor, EWI and his tugging at my heart strings with a super mellow solo.
The band, Valerio Cantante(left hand doing bass lines, right hand doing what right hands do) and Orlando Machado(drums), swing one which I don't recognize outside of the rhythm. Liz takes the stage to do a very unusual "It Don't Mean A Thing". She does it to a slow rhythmed funk beat. Wow! They do "In the Moonlight" giving Orlando a shot at 'showing off', and he does. They invite a young vocalist, Ali Kringel, to the stage. She opts to do "At Last" and does not imitate anybody else. Nice job. Liz returns and they jump the s--t out of "Going To Kansas City".
Time to say goodnight to all and it's too late for Tracy. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. Special note: Tonight, Nico Wayne Toussaint at The Fish House n Kendall. If you love BLUES harp, you will be there. Nico was one of Flo's favorites. It is so appropriate that he will appear at The Fish House where it was we first heard him.
Today is the anniversary of Flo's passing. Rest Gently in the Lord's Arms my love.
Al's Disclaimer:
A short note: The reason I write this is because I love music and words. I do not book acts. I do not promote acts. I do not accept invitations to review artists. I go to venues of my own choice. When and where is not influenced by anything other than who I would like to hear that night or day. If I don't like what I hear, I won't write about it. When I like it I let you all know. I never mention a name without asking permission. "Pardon me, Miss. Would you like to dance?"
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