Submitted by Al Kanovsky 05/26/14
...homie. I believe that you
should support your hometown teams, schools and especially local BLUES and JAZZ
musicians. I do travel far & wide to listen to live music but my heart
remains at home. I don't care if you're from New York or New Orleans, Long Beach
CA. or Long Branch NJ, Mississippi or Missouri, there's a club, a local joint or a
dive that has live music. To survive they need your support. Yesterday I was in
Jacksonville for the JAZZ Festival. I gave up an appearance by Joey De Francesco
to drive back to Ft. Lauderdale to listen to local JAZZ vocalist, Noreena
Downey.
It turned out to be a great night for the club (BJB's), the audience, me
and the band. George Mazzeo at the drum kit, Jaui Schneider (keys) and Tom
McCormick (tenor sax). My buddy Bill was there along with the Lady Babette. My
new friend Renee would show up before the end of the first set. The dance man
Dale was there albeit without his partner. Noreena opens with "Just the Way You
Are" and you can't help but notice her phrasing skills. Tom does one of his JAZZ
oriented solos and the evening is off to a great start. For Bill, she sings "You
Don't Know What Love Is". The swing session is on with "Bye Bye Blackbird". They
trade 4s all around and then Tom and George do battle. You want to get Funky?
Noreena will help you out. "Rockin' After Midnight" and Jaui really gets down.
They get back to swing time with "On the Street Where You Live". Noreena sings
"The Shadow Of Your Smile" to a latin rhythm and Tom's solo belies his Irish
heritage. Her rendition of "On Broadway" has Noreena scatting down the Great
White Way. I grew up with my older sisters singing "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My
Baby". Ms. Downey does it in the nice swing of that era. George sets up an easy
rhumba rhythm for Noreena to sing "All Or Nothing At All". The room is filling
up and soon there won't be a seat to be had. It wouldn't be JAZZ without some
Cole Porter. "Night and Day" is the tune that closes the 1st set. The 2d set
opens with Larry sitting in on guitar and Noreena getting hold of the funk tune
"Hold Me and Rock Me Through the Night". Dale gets Noreena to dance with him and
Tom really funks it up with his tenor solo. They change the mood with
"Summertime" and Tom does as soulful a tenor solo as I've ever heard. Giving
Larry a chance they do "Lost In the Masquerade" with Noreena scatting along. The
groove is starting to build and they all grab hold. They do the Brazilian
"OOhba" song. I don't know why but that tune is starting to bore me. Larry saves
it with doing his thing with Jaui and George. Noreena's expert use of vocal
dynamics is on display when she sings the beautiful ballad "You've Changed". An
up tempo 'bossa' and then Diana Krall's "Popsicle Toes". Here we go! "Besame
Mucho". Salsa beat and nice tempo. 6 or 7 couples crowd the dance floor. I push
a couple of little and old guys aside and make room for Noreena and I to show
off. Now breathless, Noreena does "Wonderful" followed with a very JAZZy
"Devil May Care". The last set has only 3 songs. "Lover Man", It Must Be Spring"
and "'boy' From Ipanema".
It had been a very nice way to spend the evening after
the long drive back from Jacksonville. My favorite server, Shannon, was wearing
more make-up than necessary. I review music but I am old enough, experienced
enough and woman wise enough to know when the make-up doesn't suit the gal.
Shannon is young enough to be my grand-daughter and the advice given was in that
tone.
Another note to Jackie: Shannon is also 'cute and
sweet'.
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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