Submitted by Al Kanovsky 05/24/14
...always manages to collect his
toll. I have been fortunate, all these many years to have escaped his grasp. He
caught me last night and the battle exhausted me. I was in bed by 8PM.
After the long drive from
Hallandale to Jacksonville I was happy to see a live trio playing near the
registration desk of the Hyatt. Fresh lemonade and peanut cups were available.
On alto sax was D'Andre Lattsome, bass Cody Wheaton with Josh Perro tending to
the keyboard. They played "My One and Only You" and the trio conveyed the true
romantic feeling of the melody. They followed with a bop tune which established
their collective musicianship. After a short break a trombonist joined them. He
had a familiar face. But from way back. I thought about it. Not only was the
face familiar but the facial expressions as well. EUREKA! The guy is
the spitting image of Wynton Marsalis before he was rich and------chubby. It's
not Wynton of course, it's his younger brother, Delfeayo, who just decided to
sit-in with these youngsters. He, like his older brother, educates and helps the
musicians who he plays with. His playing/teaching elevated and inspired the
group.
They played Coletranes "BLUES" and then gently swung "I'm Confessing That
I Love You". The lobby filled with listeners, most of whom were here for the
JAZZ Festival. The now quartet traded tasty 4s and then gave Josh a shot at
showing off. Which he did. A musician from New Orleans is not going to play a
set that doesn't include some tradition. What better than "Basin Street BLUES".
Delfeayo is as soft spoken as his brother with that same sense of good humor.
I
walked up the street to be greeted by the sound of a big band. And a big band it
was. Appropriately, it being Memorial Day Weekend and the anniversary of D-Day,
the band was the USAF band "Airmen of Note". The band was formed in 1950 to
honor Glenn Miller who had led the Army Air Corps band during World War II. They
sounded great. I caught only three of their songs. The last being "You Can't
Take That Away From Me". Swinging and in true JAZZ mode, attractive Tech
Sergeant Paige C.Martin did justice to the tune including inventive work with
the melodic line. In honor of their sevice to our country as well as their
musicianship I looked for their names on their website. The band
personell, Alto sax-Master
Sergeants Tyler K. Kuehler and Andrew D. Axelrad. Tenors-T.Sgts Tedd C. Baker
and Grant M. Langford. Bari-M.Sgt. Douglas W. Morgan. Trumpets-M. Sgt. Brian F.
McDonald, Sr. Mstr Sgts. Jeffrey B. Martin and Timothy D. Leahey, T. Sgt. Lucas
A. Brandon. Trombones= M.Sgt. Benjamin P. Patterson, T. Sgt. Kevin A. Cerovich
and on bass t-bone T. Sgt Benjamin F. Polk. Piano and Keyboards- M. Sgt. Steven
D. Erickson. Guitar- T. Sgt, Geoffrey C. Reecer. Bass-T. Sgt. Cameron S. Kayne.
Drums-T. Sgt. David M. McDonald. I salute them and all the brave young men and
women who serve in our Armed Forces. This is the first band I have ever heard
where everyone had a middle initial.
I walked back to the hotel to get a chair.
I had been standing a long time. I got my chair and started out to listen to
some more music. The bar is just a few steps from the elevator. Hmmm. An ice
cold, spicy Bloody Mary will hit the spot. The bartender, "Mike", queries.
"Would you like to see a menu". Never ask a man my age and girth that question.
It's obvious, ain't it? 'Philly steak sandwich' served grill hot and toasty. It
was GOOD!
I shouldered
my collapsible chair and headed out for the music. I didn't make it. For the
first time in 82 years, bed seemed more attractive than live JAZZ. I curled up
with my Kindle and now it's 7AM. I will not repeat yesterdays mistakes.
-----Onward JAZZ listeners.
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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