Submitted by Al Kanovsky 02/26/14
...out of the joint (my pad) after a
week of pre and post surgical funk. The impetus for the break-out was the
appearance of J.P. Soars and his Gypsy Revue Band at The Funky Biscuit, Tuesday
night. I had expected to listen to a duo of J.P and Scott
Ankrom (clarinet/soprano). Instead I was treated to a quintet with the addition
of Steve Landicina (guitar), Pat Ward (bass) and Chris Peet on (drums)---I should say
drum. Even though there was a complete drum kit on stage, Chris did the whole
show, playing a single snare with only 1 16" cymbal and employing brushes.
Perfect for the Gypsy laced program. They started off with a Gypsy swing tune
(title unknown) that instantly returned us to the mid-30's and late 40's with
Django and Stefan. J.P. and the band totally captured the sound and mood of the
era. Now to a tune all JAZZophiles are familiar with "It Don't Mean A Thing".
Scott does a really nice
soprano solo along with masterful brush work by Chris. Returning us to J.P.'s
alternate genre, BLUES, they do "Reefer Man" and his composition "Viper" with
him calling out the chord changes to the rest of the band.
A trio of ladies, Nancy, Sandy
and Phyliss have invited me to join them. They are long-time J.P. fans and
really dig the BLUES. The quintet goes back to Europe with A Rumanian type
cjardas and close the first set with a boogie "We Got to Go". Sandy lived in CA.
while I was there and she like me spent many pleasant weekends at Venice Beach
with what I called the left-over hippies.
The 2d set opens with 'swing'
"Sweet Georgia Brown" and "See You In My Dreams" followed by what sounded to me
like "St. James Infirmary". A latin beat is added when the do Willie Bobo's
"Fried Neck Bones and Home Fries". I invite Nancy to dance. We do some
respectable 'salsa' steps, laughing all the way.
Going back to the Blues they
play it slow. I ask Nancy if she remembers a dance step from N.Y. named the
"Fish". She does and we do. As I remember it, it was done up close and tight.
The place was way too well lit to do it that way. You could get busted for lewd
performance. Gypsy rises again with "Django Tiger" and they follow with a
Latin/swing rhythmed "St. Louis Woman". Phyliss and Nancy are both from the
Apple and barely old enough to remember 'stickball'. The band breaks into the 2nd
line rhythm of New Orleans with all taking solos that impress. The set closes
with Django's "Minor Swing" leaving me with memories of my "yute." Tania Blues
was there and she greeted me with a kiss. My, how I love nite-life.
During my
pad-break I also committed a robbery---I partook of the $5 hamburger special and
if that ain't robbery, nothing is. A burger that covers the bun, lettuce,
tomatoes, red onions, pickle and enough French fries for two. Did I really come
to the Funky Biscuit for the music????. note: L.to R. in the pic. Steve,
Scott, J.P., Chris and Pat.
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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