AROUND (AND OUT OF) TOWN IN 4/4 TIME AND NOTHING FLAT - by Al Kanovsky

Submitted by Al Kanovsky, 5/30/12

AROUND (AND OUT OF) TOWN IN 4/4 TIME AND NOTHING FLAT
Thursday, the last day of May, 2012 brought Flo and I to a new room (for us) featuring JAZZ. Bistro Mezzaluna in Fort Lauderdale started a program of weekly JAZZ that will continue on Friday nights. The barroom of the restaurant is really conducive to comfortable listening. The programs band is made up of Clarence Palmer (B3 organ), Rick Harris (piano, trumpet, sax, vocals and anything else he can get his hands or lips on) and Tito Cruz (drums). They plan on featuring a different vocalist every week. Thursday night they had DeeDee Wilde. Ms. Wilde and the trio had us, you know what, with our hands and toes. Best wishes for future performances both to the group and Bistro Mezzaluna.

Wednesday was a Blue Jeans Blues must. Why, you ask? Danny Burgers Showcase would star the indefatigable bopper Ira Sullivan. Ira, (as opposed to Wendy Pedersons guy who won't) always delivers. Of course he was ably backed by Danny (drums) Dr. Jaime Ousley (bass) and Mr. Brian Murphy (piano).

An interesting note: Over the past weekend Flo and I went up to Jacksonville Jazz Fest and on Friday night were fortunate to hear the renowned saxophonist, Sonny Rollins. Ira, Sonny and I are all around the same age and still hanging out. Like China and Thelma said "It's the music." 

Tuesday was "blues" night at FishTales. Muggy Doo (B3) Mr. B (bass guitar) Andy G. (drums) and an astonishing Patrick Farinas on guitar. This young man "can play".

Sunday the Jazz Festival events were cancelled due to tropical storm Beryl. We packed up and headed south. Flo asked about our ETA in Boca Raton. After taking into consideration the number of bad drivers we might encounter I gave her the appropriate info. "Great" she exclaimed, "Just in time to catch the guitar shoot-out that the South Florida Blues Society was putting on at the Funky Biscuit." We had heard about this club, but had never been there. We did make the stop and were glad we did. The Pit Bull of Blues Band backed a line-up of both established and rising blues stars. It was a great afternoon of music. The room is comfortable and nicely decorated. In spite of how busy they were the service was attentive. We didn't get the opportunity to speak with the owner, Al Poliak, but would like to encourage him to offer JAZZ on some nights in the future, we will be back.

Saturday morning after a substantial buffet breakfast we strolled over to the Jacksonville Landing. This one of the venues in the Jazz Festival program. Scheduled for the morning was the Generation Next Competition. This brings youngsters to the stage competing for scholarships and funds to further their musical education. The competitors included an 11 year old guitarist. There were two rounds and the 11 year old made it into the Final 3. Up next was the Noel Freidline Quartet with vocalist Renee Dickerson. I wouldn't miss these guys (and gal) for the world. Well, heavens to Betsy, neither would Chuck Bergeron or John Yarling. We spotted them while the band was setting up and they joined us to enjoy the performance.

Later that evening they would be on stage, along with Shelly Berg and the Jacksonville Symphony to accompany Patti Austin in a concert. Wonderful day so far and it wasn't over. We strolled back to the hotel for a cocktail or two and a snack. I "bunked"--(that's New Yorkese for bumped) into Emmet Cohen, who had competed as a finalist in the Piano Competition on Thursday. Emmet finished in 2d place but the winner was a young man Emmet had given some pointers to at a previous meeting. My conclusion is that not only is Emmet destined for future fame but he is a great educator as well. Emmet and his fellow musician Arman joined us for a drink. They both had to show proof of age. We then returned to the Patti Austin performance.

Beautiful evening and an even more wonderful show.

Onto the hotels midnight jam session and another beverage or two. We stayed late enough to hear Shelly do a couple of great solos but left just as Chuck and John were coming in. Of course they are both younger than I (not including Flo) and are allowed to stay up later.

Friday morning we are up and out early for trip to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. A couple of breakfast sandwiches and coffees from Panera and we are "on the road' looking forward to a weekend of JAZZ. We make it in ample time for a light lunch and some freshening up. Then we "shlep" the folding chairs we had recently purchased, and will soon return, (too heavy to tote) over to the "Swinging Stage" for the evening. The concerts are all free and attract throngs of local and visiting JAZZophiles. We sat down next to a couple of local guys. When the conversation started it turned into a "do you know or remember" contest. The old bird next to me really put me to the test, but I, being the better man (read a little older) finally came out a little ahead with Tiny Kahn, a very early day be-bop drummer. The music started with the local Karrin Allison Quartet. They were followed by the Bela Fleck-Marcus Roberts trio. They got Flo and I tappin' and clappin'. Sonny Rollins and his band followed. OH YEAH!!!! Listen to this. Sammy Figueroa on congas, Peter Bernstein (guitar) Toby Watkins (drums) Sonny with that amazing head of white hair and great looking snow-white beard drew accolades from the audience. His great rhythmic sense augmented the sparsity of notes and created a stirring JAZZ experience. He concluded with a blues number where he both played and sang. He put everything he had into the song. Unfortunately it took too much out of him and he could not continue. HUZZAHS to Sonny--a really stand-up JAZZ musician. Back to the hotel for the midnight jam and looking forward to Saturday. 

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