Submitted by Al Kanovsky 11/18/13
...somebodies Birthday. Yesterday
it was Linc Lackey celebrating a birthday that I'm sure makes him eligible for
membership in AARP. The party was at Jakes in Hallandale Beach and was part of
Barbara Van's Sunday Jam. A nice crowd of fans and musicians were on hand. Fans
came for the music and cake. Musicians were there to 'show off' a little, and of
course a piece of cake.
My
pals Bette and Bill were among the 'civilians'. Gene Pontrelli (trumpet), Mike
Michaels (drums), Naomi (vocals), Vitale Imereli (electronic violin), Steve Eskin
M.D.(vocals) and the inimitable Noreena Downey (vocals) were there to join the
Jam. The band behind Barbara had Lee Donais (keys), Linc Lackey (bass) and Mike
Norris on the drums. I got there in time to hear Barbara do "Georgia" in slow
BLUES time. Gene was sitting in. An instrumental version of "Green Dolphin St."
followed by Ms. Van doing "I've Got Rhythm" and "How Deep Is the Ocean". She
calls Naomi up to sing "Fly Me To the Moon". Nice job by a youngster accompanied
by backing horn lines from Gene. B.V continues with "Almost Like Being in Love"
and "There Will Never Be". Lee is featured on "Misty" playing while taking deep
breaths to emphasize some complex phrases. Vitale comes up, rendering "The One
and Only You" with Mike Michaels now at the drums. As expected he wows those who
haven't heard him before and follows with "Autumn Leaves" containing some Gypsy
undertones. Gene is featured when Barbara does "Bill Bailey/Down In New Orleans"
medley. Dr. Rock(Steve Eskin) gets up to do a JAZZy "Rte.66" including a "Rag
Mop" section. Next he does a ballad standard "Teach Me Tonight". Earlier Steve
had introduced me to his really pretty wife. I asked if she hadn't been warned
about dating musicians. She told me that her father had said "As long as he
doesn't play saxophone". I think he was right. Noreena Downey is up next. This
gal is true to the JAZZ genre. She sings "Lover Man" with all the emotion it
deserves. She bounces "Bye-Bye Blackbird", ending her stint on stage. Barbara
returns with an unusual slow-time "Making Whoopee" and then "Favorite Things".
Helping along with his birthday celebration Linc does his version of the parody
"Benny's From Heaven". Barbara concludes the program with "Since I Fell For
You", "Never Be Another You" and of course "Amazing Grace". On their big screen
they show a promotional video done by Dmitri which is really very good. Then
Alex introduces me to a DJ, Alexi Syncore, who is in the U.S. to celebrate
Thanksgiving with his American friends. Freedom seems to suit the former states
of the U.S.S.R.
It's only
9PM, so Noreena, Barbara, Mike Norris and I decide to continue the musical night
by heading to BJB's. Lourdes Valentin is the featured artist. She has Jaui
Schneider (keys), Ranses Colon (bass) and Luis Macias (drums) as her rhythm
section. We have a good time listening to Lourdes & Co. I dance with a gal
in the audience and Noreena. Barbara and Noreena sit in on vocals. Lourdes does
2 exceptional vocal renditions. One Stevie Wonder's "It's Magic" from his "Songs
In the Key of Life" album. The other is her original composition "Crossroads In
My Life". It was when Lourdes did "Que Sas" that I danced with the unnamed lady.
Orlando Machado appeared out of nowhere to dance with Noreena. He also did a
stint on timbales during the song. As the evening draws to a close, Lourdes
sings "Dream A Little Dream of Me". As part of the ending she quotes by humming
"Lullaby and Goodnight". When asked about it she said it had just come to her as
she concluded the melody. The mind of a JAZZ musician. Barbara sang "What
A Difference" and "Day By Day". Noreena sang "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To".
I was thinking the exact same thing. She said if she was only 20 years younger.
My thoughts were if she was 20 years older and I was 40 years younger----oh
well----sometimes "Your Dreams Can Come True". Jaui played his original
"Groovalu" and Lourdes sang "If I Only Had A Brain" to close the joint down.
Kissed the gals, said goodnight to the guys and headed back home. Lots to choose
from tonight. Check the listings-probably the Funky Biscuit for
me.
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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