You don't need a crystal ball...(but it helps if do, and it works, right, Allen Kanovsky?)

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 7/12/13

...to see the "Future of JAZZ". That is the name I've given to the band I heard last night at the "All That JAZZ Café" in Sunrise. Where is that??? Halfway to Tampa on Oakland Park Blvd. and Hiatus Rd. The ATJC is located in a non-descript strip mall on the Northwest corner of that intersection. It is a new JAZZ venue and has a nice "vibe". The music last night was performed by a band that was organized and led by Christian Marrero, a trumpeter. The members are all young men, local residents and have played together at one time or another. Christian's concept was that guys who have been friends since childhood would play together with the spirit of comradeship. He was entirely right in his thinking. The programs first set was made up of mostly Basie and Ellington charts. The 2d was all of Christians original compositions or charts. Starting with the sax section, the band members were: Anthony Burrell(tenor), Demona Sands(alto), Markus Howell(alto), Ben Stocker(tenor) and Jonathan Hainsworth(baritone). Trombones: Thomas Dover, Joel Perez, Miles Fiebler and Sam Gellerstein. Trumpets: Ricardo Esquilin, Ryan DeBrusco, Robert Muriel, and Max Boiko. Why does the trumpet section stand, while everyone else sits?' Rhythm was Jesse Lazcono(piano/keyboard), Jake Ricke(Double Bass/guitar) and reliable Charlie Steiner on the trap set. ---any misspellings of names are entirely the responsibility of Christian Marrero---The band was put together in early June and has had weekly rehearsals since then. They sounded like they have been together and rehearsing since the beginning of 2010. Great charts, tight unison work and best of all, remarkable solos by each and everyone. I met Ron Helm who started Christian on trumpet while he attended Sawgrass Springs Middle School and also Jeanne Halberg who was the chorus and orchestra director at that school at the same time. Seated with me were Mike and Susan Stocker(Ben's Parents) and Judy and Tito Torrent whom I had met at the Stocker's 4th of July JAM party. When I arrived at the All That JAZZ Café and was entering, I was surprised to see Patrick Bartley(alto) there. He is a Dillard graduate and is now attending the Manhattan School of Music in The Apple. Like many of the young men here, the first time I heard Patrick was at the Gold Coast JAZZ Society sponsored Jam at ArtServe in Ft. Lauderdale. He was 14. I listened to the first few bars and knew then that he would serve JAZZ well. He hasn't disappointed me. During the 2d set, the band did a tune titled "Zench". Christian explained that it was a made-up word and was used to explain the taking of chances when studying and playing JAZZ. Christian invited Patrick up to do a back and forth duet with Markus who has followed in Patrick's footsteps at Dillard. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said 'followed'. Markus has blazed his own trail. The tune is done to a mambo rhythm which adds a little bounce. Patrick and Markus playing altos with Christian adding spoken lines between made for one of those, once in a lifetime, never to be forgotten moments in JAZZ that will be marked in my memory forever. I have been listening to JAZZ since before Eve chomped on the apple and it is always with the hope of hearing what I heard this night. Christian's charts have the voicing of the great swing bands of the late 30's and 40's, yet he brings today's and the future's sound into the music. They played an original song, dedicated to his trumpet teacher, "No Need For a Passport". The rhythm, light swing. The opening and closing cadenzas showed how Christian feels about this man. The tune evoked the summer of 1939. I was 7 years old. My sisters and their dance dates would bundle me up, toss me into the rumble seat of a Chevy or Ford and be off to the Glen Island Casino. That summer I listened to the Basie Band, the Ellington Orchestra, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. Soloists like Harry James, Buddy Rich and Lionel Hampton. This band, that I heard tonight, was as good as any. Christian attends Berklee College of Music on a Presidential Scholarship that is well deserved. His trumpet teacher is Tiger Okoshi. when asked why he chose JAZZ as his future in music, he responded with no hesitation. "Because it's America's own music". Asked the same question Patrick said, "My creative nature" and Christian had the most lengthy response. "When I was little I had difficulty in learning the words to the pop songs of the times, so I listened to instrumentals because I could remember the tune. My Dad played trumpet and that brought me to smooth JAZZ and then"---you know the rest.

The All That JAZZ Café is an ambitious project of Mike and Dave, who are partners in the venture. Mike in the kitchen and occasionally playing bass. Dave in front of the house and always working hard. It is an off-shoot of the music school All That JAZZ Studios. They have 15 instructors who teach every instrument and accept students from 5 to adult. I am seriously considering taking voice lessons. I will let you know where and when so you can avoid any areas close by. They present live JAZZ on Fri. and Sat. nights. This Sunday is there once a month JAZZ Brunch. I think it might be worth a try----I'll see.   

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?"       

 ~ ~ ~

Traveling to catch some of Florida's good music? Check out these places and rates!

 ~ ~ ~

Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida 

Please visit http://www.jazzbluesflorida.com/ to sign up to have 

Florida's jazz & blues news delivered to your inbox.

Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com

And, if you like what you see here, HIT THAT FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON below!

Thanks!