Submitted by Al Kanovsky 5/8/13
...a Habit With Me". I like to
think that I am not a creature of habit, Yeah, I habitually eat three meals a
day and have a minor addiction to vodka and bourbon, but otherwise, I look at
myself as foot-loose and fancy-free. Except for the last few Tuesday nights.
Maybe it's my penchant for Latin rhythms, maybe it's the dancing. No it's not
that. It's the talent of the band "Oriente". They say they play Latin JAZZ. They
don't need the qualifier. This is a band that plays JAZZ. Sure, their program is
laced with Latin flavored rhythms but the improvisations are strictly modern and
straight-ahead. Eddie Balzola, fronts the band, playing guitar and doing the
vocals. My nickname for him is "El Gato Fresco", the cool cat. On drums Orlando
Machado who started plying at the age of 7. He really started earlier banging on
the pots and pans in his mother's kitchen. Olmar is on congas and sometimes
blows up his cheeks ala "The Diz" when he plays an intense solo. Last night Kai
Sanchez stepped in on stand-up bass and it really added depth to the sound of
the band. Finally there is William Peredes playing trombone. And I mean playing.
He knows that horn like I know my hands. His tone is great, his ideas fresh. He
can be sensitive or brash. William and Eddie did a rendition of "Body and Soul"
that touched me somewhere inside. From now on my nickname for William will be
"Caliente" that means 'hot' in Spanish. "Caliente" has fun with his playing. I
have heard many of the great trombonists. Bill Harris, Kai Windig, Dante
Luciano. To me he is most reminiscent of the JAZZ giant, Trummy Young. I can pay
no greater compliment. In addition to that "Body and Soul" they played Mongo
Santamaria's "Afro-Blue". They closed the first set with a rocking BLUES tune. I
had the chance to ask Kai about his name and if one of his parents were of
Teutonic or Scandinavian background. No, they are native Venezuelans who
now live here. His father recently was sworn in as a citizen of the U.S.A. Kai
means sun to the Guajiro Indian tribe who speak a dialect known as Guayu.
On the
social side of the evening, my dance partner, Babette and I shared one. She,
Reina-like on her usual bar-stool and me holding her hands and showing off my
Palladium moves. Joe, 1/2 of "The Kids From The Bronx" did a little showing off
as well. A late arrival was Ron Anonymous who came in with his cousins, visiting
from Charlotte. Michelle Dunn is a published author who is a mentor and
motivational speaker on family values. She can also shake those shoulder and
hips to the music. I know because we danced. Her husband Waddell is a dedicated
JAZZophile and was impressed with "Caliente" like I was. William, further
impressed me when he sight-read a complex chart. The band did a 2d line tune
"I'm the Prettiest Chief on Mardi Gras Day". 2d line has its roots in Latin
rhythm-----pok--pokpok----pokpok. Toward the end of the second set, the band
played a traditional Cuban country song, a son, that tells of a peasant
bringing his crops to market on a horse drawn cart. It is a
sensitive relationship story of horse. cart and man.
You can hear Oriente this Saturday night at Arts Garage in Delray Beach. Take advantage of the opportunity. Did
I mention that this all took place at Blue Jean Blues in Ft. Lauderdale. Talking
about BJB's, there is no friendlier staff anywhere in South
Florida.
Tonight Wendy Pedersen and Paulette Dozier presented by the Gold Coast JAZZ Society at the Broward Center----note to Wendy, see the "e".
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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