If you like...(what is NOT to like about good music, friends and fun, Allen Kanovsky?) And, a good friend needs your prayers.

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 12/12/13

...good music and having fun at the same time, you don't go to the Opera or the symphony. I enjoy both of those genres but when I need the combo of F&M, it is my choice to look for a joint. A joint doesn't have to be a dump. It can be elaborate or simple. Fancy or plain. The chief requirement is that they have live music. Be it JAZZ, BLUES, R&R, SOUL or Funk and the musicians playing it are having fun doing it. We know there are serious BLUES & JAZZ pieces that need your attention when it is played. Some stuff is just fun------

Ooh Pa Pa Da---Doodling---Give Me A Pig Foot---Donna Lee---stuff like that. Last night I needed FUN.

OK. Gather some friends. Ms. Jackie Deering, Bill Rutan, Jimmy Belize. Make your destination the Council Oaks Room Lounge at the Hard Rock Casino. Make the band Dale Powers(keys/vocals), Johnny O (tenor sax/latin percussion/vocals) Kevin Campfield (drums/vocals) Tom Roberts(upright bass). A word about Mr. Powers. In the last 6 years I have seen him about 150 times. I have never seen the same costume twice. Last night, he was resplendent in red. Shoes. slacks, shirt and jacket. Christmas spirit red! He was kind enough to show me a picture of his closet. I have lived in smaller apartments.

The first set was made up of all the Christmas songs that are in the books. White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland etc. etc. etc. Fortunately the band, being the musicians they are, were creative enough to keep it from being boring. The variations on lyric lines made us all laugh. The 2d set was made up of stuff like Johnny O doing Joe Cocker tunes, Kevin sounding like Sinatra or Como, Dale doing Louis Armstrong and Elvis and Tom trying to keep it somewhat sober. The audience was having fun. The band was hamming it up. Jimmy & I danced with Lady J. Bill was downing little neck clams and vodka/rocks/olives, please. I usually mention the songs played but I also had imbibed a couple--no, it was a few--no it was several adult beverages and was having such a good time that titles didn't matter. Only the fun, music and good company. We stayed 'til the last note faded. Lady J, Jimmy and I opted for coffee and conversation. Each telling tales of fun times in past days. Dale and the band play Wed. thru Sat. I know that Wed. is mostly JAZZ(except before Xmas) and Thurs. is kind of a dance night. Have never been on Fri. or Sat. If you have had your fill of the Holiday Spirit songs, I would wait until after the decorations are down to listen for some J or B. Just drink some. The Havana JAZZ Festival looms. Elaine, Dr. Jules, Jimmy and I are packing our bags and excited about the venture.

Hasta La Juego, Amigos.   

PS - My dear friend, educator and great JAZZ pianist, Mike Orta, is in need of your prayers for his return to good health. Please take a moment to ask our Lord for his help. Thank you.   al k

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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