Submitted by Al Kanovsky 06/15/14
...today, I was living in Los Angeles and attended the Playboy
Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. It fell on the same day as this year, June
15th. It was memorable and I still have the souvenir pin. Box seats, where
people brought table cloths and candelabras, crystal glasses and champagne were
$22.50. For two afternoons and evenings of the best JAZZ ever Rose and I opted
for stadium seating at $8.50 per. 90 bucks paid for a lot of tacos in
those years. I would like to say I remembered who played but I only have true
memory of Miles, Art Blakey and Mel Torme on Saturday with Herbie Hancock,
George Benson, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan on Sunday. I remembered Kenny
G. not for his musicianship but more for a remark after a solo when he said,
"That's to show that 'white boys' can blow". To this day, I
personally don't consider Kenny a JAZZ man nor do I think he can
"blow". Too contrived and too conceited for me. I did some
research (Google) and came up with the others. Saturday, Andre Crouch, Al
DiMeola, George Howard, Rare Silk and the Rob McConnell Boss Brass. Sunday
included Nina Simone, the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra (they blew the clouds
away), Azymuth with Flora Purim, David Vaughan and Honi Coles. Rose and I
continued going to the Festival with her close friend, Delores Copeland, who
worked at the Playboy Mansion, for many Fathers Days to come. Yes, we
eventually sprang for the big buck boxes.
I often write of the past because I
have so much of it to write about. Flo and Rose, both of whom, shared my love of
people and music and must have a lot to say about me when they sit around the
coffee table in Heaven.
Last night it was Le Chat Noir. I am inexorably drawn there
by the warmth of the owner/hosts, the 'vibe' and the musicians that play there.
I was well rewarded for my choice. It wasn't JAZZ. It wasn't BLUES. It was the
BEST. Certainly in the top twenty of live musical performances I have heard in
the past. That includes Joe Williams with the Basie Band doing
"Everyday" and Illinois Jacquet in Carnegie Hall. If I were to
use all the superlatives necessary I would have to refer to Roget's Thesaurus.
Wonderfully talented musicians playing ultra-complex charts.
Let me name names.
Anibal Berraute (keys), Federico Britos (violin), Renyel Rivero (upright bass) and
visiting from Japan Ms. Yuki Kawanami (bandoneon). The play list which follows
had only a couple of melodies that were familiar to me. No matter --- I
basked in the pleasure of the sounds. Tango, bolero even a bit of salsa
and a little JAZZ. "Libertad", "Bordonazo", "Tango En
Siete", "Entre Hombres", "Elena", "La Muerte del
Angel", "AS Tangoes By" and "Adios Nonino" made up the
first set.
I sat there slack-jawed. I had been graciously invited to join
Susana Behar (vocalist) and her husband Dr. J.P. Levy at their table. They
were impressed as well. Susan had met Yukie on a visit to Japan. The music
played so far was rhythmically and melodically challenging for musicians.
Changing tempos, varying melodic lines in each title, made for an amazing
listening experience. Every solo was a display of mastery of the
instrument. Some of you may think that I am being effusive or in other
words "over the top" in my review. I do not write as a critic. I
write reviews of what I listened to. Believe me I am not even close to describing
the beauty of what I heard last night.
The 2d set started with "Green
Dolphin St" and JAZZ was in the house. "Decarismo", "La
Cumparsita", Fugay Misterio", "Oblivion"- recognized by
Susana -
"Taconeando", "Verano Porteno" and the encore
"Bis Naear".
During one of the tango numbers, Federico made an
unusual sound with his violin. It is peculiar to tango. The sound almost
cricket-like is called 'cachilla'. Interesting.
I could go on for another hundred words but I hope you
have better things to do, this being Fathers Day.
To all you Dads, "Have a
great day". To all you gals who made these guys fathers---"good luck".
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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