Submitted by Al Kanovsky 9/30/13
rewarded. My apology for
Saturday paid dividends on Sunday. No Hail Marys' or Our
Fathers. No Acts of
Contrition or self-flagellation. No head bowed or kneeling in prayer. A simple
heart-felt apology and I got my just desserts -----a great afternoon and evening
of BLUES and friendship. "Who Could Ask For Anything More". It started
mid-afternoon at Rosey Baby in Lauderhill. The South Florida BLUES Society
competition for solo and duo acts. If you were there, enough said. If you
weren't you should mark your calendar for next year. The competitors were Graham
Drout with Mitch Mestel; Amy Arlo with Big Al; Nico Wayne Toussaint with Michel
Foizon; Joel Zoss, solo; The BLUES dragon duo of Mark Telesca with Allen Gibbs;
Piano Bob with Nick Trill and Sista Marybeth with Tommy Benson. Original tunes,
classic BLUES, delta--James Cotton to Howlin' Wolf---an afternoon of music that
will not soon be forgotten. Friendship? Let me start with my pal Bill Rutan who
can drink more vodka/rocks in an hour than any living being. He always has
olives thinking it makes him look 'civilized' .Angela and Jose from The Fish House, Jackie(American Airlines), Diane Young, Bob Grabau, Piano Bob and Mary,
Tania Blue, Martine & Jacques, Betty 'Shake Your Booty' Rosenthal, Marie
Blaize(Niles wife). Newly met friends Susy Reiter and John Moore aka "Juan
Fabuloso". I am trying to figure out how John 'the Oklahoma Kid' transformed
himself to Juan Fabuloso. After Joel Zoss's performance John and I discussed how
composers had a special feel for lyrics, even those not their own. You had to
see Tania Blue dressed in black, tight and short.
Oooohweee!
Susy was with a couple of her
friends one of whom felt what she had to say was more important than listening
to the music. During the break I mentioned that most of us were here for that
purpose. The somewhat heavy-set blond responded in a typical Brooklyn broad
manner. I opted to ignore the -----. BLUES Bobby took the stage and told a
similar story about people talking. It quieted most of the chatterers----for a
while. During the results break, Otis Cadillac asked if I played kazoo. My
response was positive and so he asked me to join his kazoo quintet. I have to
think about it because I would have to buy my own kazoo. Joe Canizzo(JC
Crossfire) said I could afford it. I asked him to 'chip in'. Bernie Rose said I
would be welcome if I could read music..Niles 'Redbeans' Blaize who plays harp,
vocalizes and plays kazoo with Otis Cadillac and the Eldorados said welcome
aboard. Next time you see Niles ask for one of his business cards. It is a
'collectors item'. I can't just sit there and listen. My body demands motion. I
danced with Jackie, Martine danced with Jacques, Juan Fabuloso's wife danced
with some of the other ladies. Juan drank his beer!. The play list, far too
extensive to list. I must mention that I particularly enjoyed Joel's solo
performance especially his dedication "To beer---and those who drink
it", Guitar, vocals and great lyric lines.
The results were as
follows:
Mark & Allen 3d
place, Graham & Mitch
2d and off to Memphis representing
the South Florida BLUES Society, Nico and Michel. ( *NOTE* You can follow state-wide IBC Challenge results at another blog entry further down this page: http://jazz-bluesflorida.blogspot.com/2013/07/florida-blues-societies-2013-local-ibc.html.)
I am off to The Funky Biscuit
and graciously Jackie says she'll follow me there. Off we go and arrive at the
Biscuit safe, sound and in time for the 2d set of the reunion of Bobby and the
Renegades. The 'joint' is packed with folks having a good time. There's an old
saying "Music soothes the savage beast". Well. it makes civilized people pretty
happy too. A "Pretty Woman", Barbara Thomans is doing the real "Lindy" with
Terry Donaho. In conversation Barbara says "If dancing doesn't make you smile,
you shouldn't do it" She is right, so Jackie and I get up to enjoy life. The
band is smoking!! How the Biscuit doesn't go up in flames is beyond me. Greg
Magnati handles the vocals, Rich Conklin is at the drums, Mason Randall playing
bass with Steve Laudicina on lead guitar and blowin' the doors off. The band
plays the BLUES, some funk and boogie, keeping us all clappin' tappin' and on
the dance floor. A Greg original "I Don't Like Anything About You" reflected
his feelings about a former band-mate. Greg announced his recent engagement to
Chelsea who was celebrating her birthday. The band did Howlin' Wolf's "Three
Hundred Pounds of Joy" and Stevie Ray Vaughan's "You're Gonna Miss Me' and an
inspired version of "Double Trouble". Jackie and I had a great time and were
sorry that the evening had to end. Before we said goodnight, Jackie shared a
poem she had written about Tibet, titled "The Mountain and the River". It made
me wish I had been there with her.
No Tracy but Ted Grossman pretty darn good; playing soft JAZZ tunes to fit the late Sunday mood. "I Surrender Dear" and
then some Billie Holiday---
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
Or, just email me at Charlie@JazzBluesFlorida.com
And, if you like what you see here, HIT THAT FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON below!
Thanks!
No comments :
Post a Comment