Time traveler... and Al is breaking the sound barrier all over the scene...

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 3/7/13

Wednesday afternoon at "JAZZ in the Gables" I entered a time chamber and was whisked back to the days of the "flappers". The '20s and early 30's.
Dixieland JAZZ tunes wafted in the air surrounding the Coral Gables Museum. Jack Seigel(trumpet) along with Mike Gold, George Mazzeo, Hank Bradenburg, Bobby Whitlock, Connor Hailey and Joe(Yussel) Donato(sopranito sax) sitting in for a few, bubbled and bounced the early afternoon away. The band opened with "Bourbon St. Parade", followed with "Rose Room" and things got betterer and betterer from there on. In the audience was a group of ladies accompanied by aides. A few in wheelchairs, a couple with walkers, but all of an age which will remain unmentioned. One, whose name is Pearl Lynn was tappin' and clappin'. It didn't take long before, using her walker for support, she was up and "boogeyin'". Her stablemate Edna DeLuce(she wasn't sure of the spelling) soon joined in. Oooh, oooh, oooh, what a little music can dooo- oo-oo. The rain held off until Jack and the boys completed the concert.
A short nap later I was at the Wertheim Hall at FIU for a concert with Mike Orta's Latin JAZZ Ensemble. Mike teaches JAZZ piano at the University. The band had Seth Merlin(trumpet), Kelly Gonzalez(trumpet), David Rodriguez(Alto), JC Marchan(tenor), Luis Villegas(trombone), Luis Urbana(piano), Kenneth Jiminez(bass),Jeery Jerome(drums) and Alex Rivera on Congas. They opened with a haunting ballad done in 6/4 and continued the short concert with the various rhythms peculiar to the Carribean and Central America. The Wertheim is a beautiful concert hall, complete with soaring organ pipes as a backdrop. Each of the student band members had the opportunity to solo and impress the audience.

No time for another nap. I am off, motoring East to PAX. and Troy Roberts and the band called Nu-Jive. I am about to be whisked from the "20's" into the "2020's".
Troy and Nu-Jive play JAZZ as it will be in "Things To Come". I don't like the term "avant garde". This is not a band that is anticipating the future. It IS the future.
No recognizable time signatures, arrhythmic at times, strange but beautiful new chord structures, excellent musicianship and technique and the enthusiasm that brings it together in a cacophony of wondrous sound. Silvano"El Maestro" Monasterios(keys) returned to the bandstand along with Troy(tenor), Eric England(bass),David Chiverton(drums) Tim Jago(guitar) and guest trombonist Chad Bernstein. Each member of this band puts everyhing they have into everything they play. I love the "new" sounds and it makes me feel good about the future of my beloved JAZZ. My buddy Bill was alongside through the entire journey(except for his departure at curfew time---for him). Roxanne(PAX's founder) joined us for a few minutes and then Jeanette Pina and my new "bud" Jay Lewis. The audience was made up largely of young musicians and their friends who came out to listen and learn. Among them, Chris Cadenhead(piano) and young Gary Thomas(bass). Raise a glass in toast of tomorrow!!!

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