Submitted by Al Kanovsky 03/27/14
...in 'paradise'. Hey, not only for me. Almost
200 folks came to the plaza outside the Coral Gables Art Museum yesterday. It
was the final concert of the series hosted by the Miami JAZZ Co-op. Both the
Mayor and past Mayor were there. Jeannette Pina and her Dad, Donna Blue, Hanah
Tolgin, Frank Consola, Felipe LaMoglia and a lovely woman who remebered I wrote
about her before, Ms. Lina Aguda, were among the attendees. They came from as
far away as Ft. Lauderdale and even Mr. Gerald Bass, a JAZZ fan from South
Africa. Why wouldn't they come-----Federico Brito and Nicole Yarling together,
on the same bill. JAZZ violin at it's very best. Include Brian Murphy (piano),
Chuck Bergeron (bass) and John Yarling (drums) and draw your own conclusions. By
the way, Nicole and John Yarling are not sister and brother. The first song,
"After You've Gone" is a classic JAZZ piece from way back in the day. Federico,
first to solo and then Nicole. A little fiddle feud of 8's and 4's. Brian, Chuck
and John all get their turn in the spot(sun)light. If you want to know what JAZZ
is about, all you need to do is listen to Nicole sing a song "A Simple Social
Call". If you listen to a lot of JAZZ there is something familiar about the
chord changes. I know!!! No, I don't!!! It's ????. I dig deeper and can't
connect the dots. Thankfully Nic reveals the basis for the tune "I'm In the Mood
For Love". That's JAZZ. Take a chart, reshape it, rephrase it and then let out
the news ---. Federico digs into the swing era for "Avalon" during which Chuck
plays a truly impressive solo and John/Federico trade 4's. Much fun. Nic in the
key of G, sings another oldie "Easy To Do". It also harkens back many years ago.
Loving Nicole's variations is truly 'easy to do'. Federico introduces "Besame
Mucho" as a Cuban tune. If memory serves me correctly, the composer was a young
Mexican girl. But no matter. They play to a romantic bolero rhythm with Brian
adding clave with his solo --- side note --- Brian is of Irish descent. In spite of
that impediment, at one point he was the arranger for the Tito Puente Orchestra.
Irish parents and a Latin soul!!!! Nic vocalizes a hot scat portion and then
trades humorous violin 2's with Federico. They all swing when Nicole sings
"Lover Come Back To Me", up-tempo. Nicole
scats ---Brian and Chuck
trade 4's, then Nic and John take a turn--drums/vocals--8's, 4's and
2's---JAZZ.
Federico and
Nicole play together. It's the song that Flo and I fell in love to back in 1956.
From the film "Picnic". "Moonglow". Memories of a life time flashed by while I
tried to remeber the lyric.--'It had to be moonglow, that brought you to
me'----Flo had just turned 20. I was 24. We met in mid-June. We were married
just before the year ended. Brian is featured doing a BLUES tune and the program
ended with a lively "I'm Beginning To See the Light".
I grab a quick
lunch--coffee and an 'apple fritter at Dunk'n and go home for a short
nap --- Blue Jeans Blues is on the sched. I promise, this great American novel
is in the final chapter---read on...
I am going to BJB's for one reason. Ben Champion is going
to be there. You want to here saxophones and flute --- you listen to Ben --- BLUES,
JAZZ, Funk. Whether straight-ahead or bopped to the max, Ben is the MAN. Steve
Kornicks (percussion) is there for the same reason. So are all the folks who have
crammed into the joint. Danny Burger (drums) hosts the Showcase with James
Kidwell (guitar) and Vince Anthony (Kb/vocals) completing the band. Jimmy Belize
(his photo of me at the top) and his friend Jean have joined me for the music
and a pizza. Ben sets the mood with a bopped up Samba. He's got everybody
tappin' right off. Vince follows with a vocal "I've Got You Under My Skin". Ben
does a swinging JAZZ solo. James, who hasn't seen or played with Ben for 30
years, comes up with a BLUES titled "I'm A Phone Booth Baby". I wish I could
have understood the lyric. Unfortunately, like most BLUES guitarist/vocalists
James knows how to use the guitar amp for effect but has no 'mic' technique. Ben
switches to alto for a straight-ahead melody which I don't remember the title
of. No matter. It is pure good-listening. During the next song, "No Greater
Love", Ben shows his sense of humor quoting 'ooh bop sh bam flooglemop' during
his solo. 4's all around bring the song to a rousing conclusion. Talking about
the past, Vince sings "Do Nothing 'til You Hear From Me". When I was 16 years
old, working for a comic named B.S. Pully in a club called the "Pump Room" on
Miami Beach, my fellow band members insisted that I sing. They did that because
my trumpet playing s-------d. "Do" was my favorite song. If I
only--------.
The 2d set
opens with a jumping "Smack Dab In the Middle". The dance couple, Martine &
Jacques are in the house and doing their thing. At the request of long-time fan,
Stan Jackson, Ben does some Straight-ahead JAZZ with "I Remember April". James
follows with a BLUES shuffle, "Before You 'cuse Me". Martine & Jacques are
back on the floor and that encourages others to join them. Vince sings the
ever=popular "You Don't Know Me". Two, very pretty, young things have come to
BJB's. One in skin tight leather pants. The other, somewhat taller, in thigh-hi
suede boots. The hem line of her skirt makes no attempt at coming close to the
boot-tops. They are Gloria Grina and Jenny Boggio. To make a long story longer,
as Jenny is returning from powdering her nose (do woman still do that?) I let her
know that we will dance --- She looks me, up and down. Old-short-fat. What more
could any woman want. "Okay" she says. We do. Everyone in the joint is wide-eyed,
with mouths agape. I don't blame them. My only thought --- Thank you for the
blessings. I revel in the thought for the rest of the evening. Remebering
little else but the final couple of tunes --- maybe --- "My One and Only
Love" ---"Moondance" --- Ben quoting "Flying Home" during one of them --- Danny
featured on "Green Dolphin Street" James singing "Cross-cut Saw"---"Mercy,Mercy"
and closing with Ray Charles' "Hallelujah, I Just Love Her So".
While leaving,
Jimmy, Jean and I run into Clarence. A heated discussion about what JAZZ is or
isn't ensued. I confess to being opinionated ---Clarence is OPINIONATED!!! I
need a drink.
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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