Submitted by Al Kanovsky 05/8/14
...to listen to other musicians
play, you know you're in for something special. It was Ira Sullivans birthday
being celebrated at Blue Jeans BLUES. Family, fans and fellow JAZZ men had the
joint jammed. Wednesday is Danny Burger's Musician Showcase. Along with
Danny and Ira were Dr. Jaimie Ousley and as Danny describes him, the man with 2
brains, Brian Murphy. They started the bash with Ira playing a shiny alto sax
and doing "I Remember You". After Ira's solo it was Brian's turn. It was
instantly obvioous that tonight was going to be special for Brian and the rest
of the band. Ira and Brian traded 8's and then gave Jaimie the stage. When was
the last time you heard a full chorus bass solo? And what a solo-----I'm looking
around the room and see Dale Powers and his wife Amy, Eddy Balzola and his wife
Holly Spillane, Paul Shewchuck, Bob Vanivoort, One Night Stan, Lindsay Blair,
Donna Blue, Nanami Irakawa, and John Yarling. The Ira fans included Duane and
Deborah Crisp, Babette, Heidi, Richie, Martine & Jacques, Stan Jackson and
Isabel with her brother. The next tune is "Darn That Dream" with Ira playing
flute. After Brians 5* solo, Ira plays tenor trading 4s with Brian. Jaimie gets
another full chorus solo followed with Danny & Jaimie alone. Danny doing his
masterful work with brushes. Brian and Ira do a duet which has everyone leaning
forward to catch every nuance. Ira's son, Revard is invited up to play guitar.
They opt to do a tune "A Little Train". We all know Ira can 'blow', well so can
his son. The cat does play that thing. Back in the day, Brian had done
arrangements for Tito Puente. The clave rubbed off and every once in a while the
Latin in this Irishman shows itself. Ira and Revard trade 4's and follow with a
fantastic duet. Next a Wes Montgomery tune "Fly Pies". Ira playing alto and
Revard featured on guitar. When Brian does his solo portion, Dale is paying
close attention with an ear to ear smile on his face. By the way, Dale is
dressed in almost 'civilian' clothes, that is if you can call green velvet pants
normal. Ira and Revard do a call and response with Revard setting the pace. That
ended the set with the audience on its feet. The 2d set opens appropriately with
a Sonny Rollins tune whose title escapes me. But it's be-bop and what can be bad
about that. They do "Norwegian Wood" next with Ira playing a soprano sax
manufactured in 1929 and therefore is older than Ira and I. He carries that horn
around in a case that is more duct tape than case. Evard amazes me with his solo
and lifts Brian to greater heights as well. This is one of those nights that
makes all my nights out worthwhile. They do a Michel LeGrand tune "The Summers
End" and the soprano sound is haunting. During the tune, Ira plays trumpet for
the first time this night. Brian does it once more, raising the musical bar
higher and higher. If you listen to Brian and Danny it's as if they read each
others minds. They catch a groove and end with the audience awarding them
unstoppable applause. Danny, Brian and Jaimie now elect to play "Jitterbug
Waltz". They don't play it in swing. They do it in pure 50's be-bop.
WOW!!! The final set starts
with John Yarling at the kit. Revard is on guitar, Brian(piano), Danny(drums),
Jaimie(bass) and Ira playing flugelhorn. I wrote down the name of the tune but
can't read my scribble. Ira picks up the flute for his traditional ending tunes,
"Day By Day" from 'Godspell" and "Amazing Grace" from churches worldwide. I have
written a sub-lyric for "Amazing Grace: and Ira reads it with all the necessary
emotion-----Thanks to all the guys who played for us last night. Thanks to an
appreciative audience of JAZZophiles who proved that JAZZ is alive and well in
South Florida.
When I arrived earlier in the
evening Jessi Campo(vocals) was on stage with JasonB.(saxes). They are both
talented musicians. Jessi is just back from appearances at the New Orleans JAZZ
Festival. Budgetary constraints force them to play to background checks. I think
that is unfortunate. They di Tito Puente's "Oye Como Va". A blonde lady was
bobbing her head to the Rhythm. "Pardon me, Miss-----and we did. Jessi did an
impassioned "The First To Say Goodbye" and then another Latin number. I asked
Isabel to dance and we did--having fun all the way.
I am off to the Apple for the
Essentially Ellington Competition. Florida has 3 in the finals. Dillard Center
for the Arts(Fort Lauderdale), Community Arts Program(Coral Gables) and Osceola
County School for the Arts. Some of it is broadcast live on the internet on
Saturday. Check it out-----Which way is the airport????
Dale and Amy have a son and
daughter serving in the United States Marine Corps. Their son is on the front
lines in Afghanistan. Prayers don't hurt. Add Mike Norris and my buddy Jimmy
Belize as well.
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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