The stars were perfectly aligned...(for Allen Kanovsky and all the other attendees at the SOLD OUT - SRO South Florida Jazz Orchestra show at Arts Garage)

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 6/16/13

...the 1/3 moon shone over all of South Florida and then the stars came out. The JAZZ stars. The South Florida JAZZ Orchestra has 16 members. Added to that number were two JAZZ vocalists. That's a total of 18. 18=chai. Chai in Yiddish is Life. If you were at Arts Garage last night you were treated to a large slice of Life as served up by this impressive group of musicians.

Reading from L. to R., front to back we had Brian Murphy(piano), John Yarling (drums), Chuck Bergeron (bass/leader), the sax section, Ed Calle*(tenor), Gary Lindsey* (alto), Gary Keller* (alto/clarinet/flute), Mike Brignola*
(baritone) and guest Ken Maddis (tenor)  *-members of the Miami Sax Quartet. Behind the sax section are the trombones. Dante Luciano, John Kricker, Major Bailey and Eric Bauman. Behind them are the trumpets, standing up, Cisco Dimas, Chris Burbank, Jesus Matu and Pete Francis. The trumpet section is a feature of this wonderful band. The vocalists were Dr. Lisanne Lyons and Ms. Nicole Yarling. Both of the ladies are well known to JAZZ audiences.

Arts Garage was wall to wall packed. Every seat in the house occupied by a JAZZophile. At my table were Rick and Fran Katz(Miami JAZZ Co-op) and Isabel accompanied by her brother. 

The opening number was somewhat be-boppy and three of the four trumpets were featured. Each doing a fantastic solo and ending in full chorus to take the tune out. Next was Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady." Now it was Nicole's turn with a song. "Every Thing I Got Belongs To You" is her choice and she chooses to do it with 3 members of the trumpet section. If you know Nikky, you know that when she is holding the mic, she is in charge. I don't care if it's a trio, a big band, a full orchestra or what. Nikky with a mic is in control of the whole shebang. She sings her song displaying her professorship in 'scat'. Then she directs the horns through an exchange of fours and then twos. Taking it out she joins the horns in a rousing race to the final note. Leave it to Nikky

y to get the crowd on their feet.

The set ends with a Chuck Bergeron original "Read My Lips" which once again features the trumpets. John Yarlings solo on this tune displayed his mastery over the 'pause' in drum solos. Chuck does a bass solo that is reflective of his N'Orleans background. BLUESy, JAZZy, Cajun and second line all displayed in about 64 bars. Loved it.

The second set opened with the Miami Sax Quartet. Ed, Gary, Gary and Mike. They did  "Blue Rondo a la Turk" displaying each players dedication to music in general and JAZZ in particular.

The show continued with the full band doing a Chuck tune, dedicated to his now 3 year old son. The song is titled "BLUES for The Terrible Two's". The arrangement again showed Chucks Louisiana roots---bop, shuffle, a little boogie a lot of New Orleans style and a great solo by Brian Murphy.  Nicole returns to the stage to do "Love For Sale". I have a special attachment to that song and "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams".

Ask about it when you see me. She does it with verve and that is transmitted to Dante and Chuck in their  solos. Nikky now becomes an instrument using her voice as a horn. I didn't catch the name of the tune but to me it was reminiscent of Chuck Mangione/Esther Satterfield's "Land of Make Believe. Lisanne does a touching "Embraceable You". Rick says he likes her better with big bands. I, on the other hand, just plain like her. The evenings music ends with Ed Calle's composition "Mambo Lambo". Ed is an impassioned player. Add a little "clave" and the passion and temperature is lifted beyond belief. A great way to close the show and the audience responded in kind. I spoke with Nicole long enough after the show to find out that her favorite album, all time, is "Birth of the Cool". Gil Evans/Miles Davis. I also had the good fortune to meet Michael G. Williams, a saxophonist. He goes back a little ways and tells wonderful stories of musicians from "back in the day".

A little story by Chuck for Fathers Day. Chuck's little boy is now 3. He comes up to his Dad, puts his arms around Chuck's considerable neck and says "Daddy, I love you. You're my best friend". What more can I say about being a father. Happy Fathers Day to all of you Dads out there including my son, son-in-law, nephews and friends.   

*Editor's Note*

The summer season series (Jazz Project & Garage Blues) at Arts Garage continues through the end of August, with June 22: Garage Blues - Little Mike & The Tornadoes featuring Tony O (June 2013 Jazz & Blues Florida Featured Artist); 29: Jazz Project - Nate Najar Trio coming up next. These shows will continue to SELL OUT, so get your tickets NOW if you don't want to be disappointed. See you there next Saturday for Little Mike. This show is going to blow the roof off the Garage - Tornado style! TICKETS

       

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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