Submitted by Al Kanovsky 04/14/14
...soulful voice is a magnet. It
draws me inside of BJB's on 'toity-toid'. The vocal chords belong to a guy named
Woody Bolar. He is sitting in at Anthony Corrado's Sunday Jam. Shay Eishen on
the kit, Paul Banman (keys) and Bob Ullman is playing guitar. The song being sung
is "Top of the Bay". It's not JAZZ but it is 'soul' and very real. "What
wouldn't I Do For Love", "So In Love With You" all topped off with a BLUES, "The
Thrill Is Gone". The audience response is thunderous.
During Woody's vocals
there were a couple of Anthony's solos on tenor. He was inspired by the
vocalist. The show continued with Anthony playing all of his 273 instruments.
(The number is used under the terms of 'poetic license'). When Anthony plays
guitar and then trumpet to a flamenco rhythm a petite blonde lady cannot keep
her seat. She steps onto the dance floor to do some fiery dancing. Her name is
Techi Schulz and is a native of Peru. The band plays "When A Man Loves A Woman"
which brings Woody back to the stage. To close the Jam, Anthony recites a psalm
from the Book to a Coltrane tune.
Noreena Downey and her trio is an hour away. I
take the opportunity to speak with Babette. She is ensconced at her usual seat
at the bar. This dimunitive lady is in the process of consuming a pizza. She
stops momentarily to chat. Back at my table I engage in conversation with my pal
Bill Rutan. It goes like this, What? Oh yeah!, Uh huh, Sure, No way, Gilbert
& Sull----I cut him off. The band is setting up. George Mazzeo is building
his drum set. Jeff Padowitz is sound checking the electric piano, Nicky Orta
tunes his bass and Noreena is looking good standing at the mic. There's a pretty
good crowd for Sunday night but I don't see any of my dance partners. --- "I'm
just a lonely boy, lonely and blue". Not really! I am hear for the music and not
necessarily for the benefits. The rhythm section starts with an instrumental
version of "You and the Night and the Music". I know right off, based on Jeff's
solo, that I am going to have a wonderful night of JAZZ. Nicky picks it right up
on bass and then they all trade 8's challenging each other to greater heights. A
5* intro. The pace is turned to break-neck speed with Noreena's version of "Bye
Bye Blackbird". Only Nicky Orta can produce a bass solo at that tempo. Noreena
scats the closing bars. As is her habit, Ms. Downey likes to utilize unusual
rhythm patterns to standard tunes. She does so when she Latinizes "You Don't
Know What Love Is". Jeff again commands my attention with his solo portion. The
cat has caught a groove. The 'ooh bah' bossa "Mascinado" is solidly JAZZ
flavored with some solid scat lines. "Stormy Weather" is done in slow BLUES
time. The musical chops of all on stage is apparent during this tune."You'd Be
So Nice To Come Home To" and both Jeff and Nicky play exceptional solos. When
Noreena sings "Cry Me A River" you can hear the Billie Holiday influence. The
set closes with "Moondance". A really nice George and Noreena exchange brings
the tune to a swinging finish. The 2d set opens with the trio playing some music
with o title. Akey, a beat and JAZZ musicians know exactly what to do. Nicky
delivers again and then they trade 8's all around. Noreena returns with "No Moon
At All" to an esy swing rhythm. Jeff's solo has Noreena doing some tasty steps
on stage. An up tempo "Night and Day", A reggae rhythmed "Lover Man" finishes
with Noreena doing one of her imaginative endings with the line "Someday He'll
Come Along". JAZZ, BLUES, be-bop, Samba, swing, Bossa and a little salsa kept me
there to the very last note. Danced a couple with Noreena, laughed with them all
during the breaks and had a very good time all around.
On my way home Sirius
radio was playing the Buck Clayton All-Stars. There are not many trumpeters
today that can swing like he did. Today--yesterday---Thank you,
Lord.
Zeesen Pesach to my Jewish friends and a great Easter holiday to all those of the other persuasions.
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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