Submitted by Al Kanovsky 01/11/14
...yesterday, there were lots of
choices Friday night. I consulted with my crew. Bill Rutan, Jimmy Belize and
Frank the Cop. Frank was going to watch TV with his dog Buddy. Jimmy was
contemplating his navel. Bill had to escape. We agreed to meet at the Turnberry
Isles Country Club. Good choice and close to home. Take notice I didn't say in
the neighborhood. Aventura ain't anywhere close to my 'hood at least as far as
money is concerned. We arrive at the front entrance where valets are quick to
open your car doors and greet you. Now JAZZIZ in Boca is a swank joint. BJB's in
Ft. Lauderdale has atmosphere, The Funky Biscuit has an air about it, The Van
Dyke has history. The lounge at Turnberry Isles is just out and out plain grand.
A large, airy comfortable looking room with great chairs and a polished wooden
floor to dance on. We walk in and a 'cat' is noodling on piano. I don't
recognize him. He is playing the melodic line on the piano and the bass line on
an electronic keyboard. He sounds pretty good so I set my ears to listen.
Noreena Downey(vocals) has Abner Torres on drums and standing nearby is her
regular pianist Jaui Schneider. She tell them "Fly Me To the Moon" and the guy
at the piano asks "What key?". Noreena tells him. He counts it off and 'fly'
they do. The cat swings in his solo. Jaui picks up the bass guitar so the guy
can play piano two-handed. The guy I'm talking about on piano is named Brandon
Goldberg. He will be 8 in February 15. Yep! He is just 7 years old and has never
had a formal piano lesson. He plays piano better than I speak English. I will
let you know if he expects to 'jam' anywhere else. Noreena has invited him to
play again next Friday. Don't miss it. Brandon stays at the piano as they do
"All Or Nothing At All" and I dance a few steps with Ms. Downey. "Little 88" as
I will call him is now kneeling on the piano stool and playing "New York State
of Mind". His solo has me shaking my head in wonder. Noreena asks what he would
like to do next.
Brandon is an "Ol Blue Eyes" fan and can name everyone of
Frank's arrangers. He asks "Do you guys know "Witchcraft"? Noreena names her key
and away they go. His accents during the song are all in the right place and
time. When they end the song, his Mom reminds him of his bedtime. Ever the
little gentleman he agrees with no argument. He shakes my hand, thanks me for
listening and says goodnight. Look to the future, Brandon, look toward the
light..The trio does "You Don't Know What Love Is" and then a really swinging
"On The Street Where You Live" with Noreena doing her 'scats'. A little 'bossa'
"Ooba-oooba" and the set
ends with a few instrumental bars. During the break the conversation was all
about Brandon.
The 2d set
opened with an instrumental "Yesterdays". When Noreena returned she did "What Is
this Thing Called Love". Noreena is not afraid of taking chances with the
melodic line and so she does. She sings "So In Love With You Am I" which reminds
me that Jaui once told me that Cole Porter wrote it because he wanted to sound
"Jewish". When Noreena sings it, the tune sounds JAZZish. She takes a break and
it gives Jaui the opportunity to play his original Latin composition "LaCuna".
He wrote it because he wanted to sound Latinish. It is in the Latin Music Hall
of fame. Returning to the swinging mood they all do "It's Almost Like Being In
Love" and "Come Rain or Come Shine". They continue with a song I haven't heard
anyone do in a long time, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". Bill gets that 'stooopid'
look on his face as he remembers time gone by. Noreena spies the look and
invites him to dance with her. Game-leg and all, Bill holds her close and
slow-dances. Beauty and the Beast. She looks at me while she sings "It Had To Be
You". Noreena has incredible blue eyes and a lovely voice. Do you know what that
can do to an old 'dawg' like me?. Call 911.
When Noreena does "Rte 66" it becomes her original tune.
She bends the melody, restructures the rhythmic line and generally kicks it into
high gear and real JAZZ. Nobody, nowhere does it like she does. Transing to
rhumba rhythm they do "How Long Has This Been Going On". Switching gears for the
last tune they come down hard and funky with Bill Withers "Use Me Up". Noreena
joins Nicole Henry as the only other JAZZ vocalist doing that tune. Thank you
Noreena, Jaui and Abner and thank you Brandon. The club validate your valet
ticket. That's always nice. Hi, Tracy.
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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