Submitted by Al Kanovsky 06/29/14
...to admit you made a mistake. In a poem I once wrote there
was a line that read "I ain't always right but I'm never wrong".
Yesterday I was wrong.
I wrote that Turk Mauro's upcoming appearance at Arts Garage was a "comeback" This was no comeback. It was a STILL HERE.
To save face, the mistake was partially Turk's own fault. Last year he
announced at this same venue that it was his farewell appearance. So what was
this? The 2d coming?.
Seriously, it was as entertaining a night as anyone could
expect. Turk was at the top of his game. Jumpin' and jivin'. his playing
exciting, his patter humorous and enough musical guests to pack a bus.
Let's start with the rhythm section. The Orta brothers, Mike (piano),
Nicky (bass) - and their Mom looking better than ever was there too - and Danny 'Brush Master' Burger (drums). Guest appearances included Nicole Yarling (violin/vocals),
the young Christian Cummings (alto sax), Randy Emerick (bari), Debbie
Orta (vocals) and Turk's brother Ron Turso (drums). The room was filled with
people I know and some I don't. Tania (Cuban fellow traveler), Richie and Ruth,
Rich Race, Alyona's Mom & Dad, Heidi and at my table Rick (MJC) and Fran
Katz and my dance partner Denise.
What's that you say? Enough B.S.?
You want to know about the music? Okay. You can't go wrong
with Cole Porter, so Turk chooses "It's All Right With Me" as the
opening tune. From the count off on this group will swing. With good reason.
They all love playing this venue. Great sound and attentive audiences. Nicole
is invited up and she intones a lively scat arpeggio to start her BLUES tune,
""I Want A Man With A Whole Lot Of Energy". The opening line is
"My man is a country man" another is "He knows how to plow and
can feed a cow". You make of it what you will. Nicole and Turk unite in a
instrumental 'shout.'
Christian is next up and they do Charlie Parker's
composition "Billie's Bounce." Playing alto, you know Christian will
do justice to any Parker tune. Nicole be-bops pretty good on violin. Mike and
Turk take turns and this is now a full out Jam. Nicky gets his turn at bat
and then they all trade 4's. Turk shows his humorous side when he says that
"I'm not at 100% --- but neither are you.
Nicole and Mike play "Oh What A Beautiful
Morning". This version is not what you might hear in Oklahoma. Christian
chooses Tadd Dameron's "Lady Bird" as his feature tune. It affords
him the opportunity to display his talented phrasing. Mike and Nick's solos
reflect Christians mood. If you are in a boppish mode, you know you're gonna
play "Olio". Christian, Mike and Turk catch a groove. 'The joint is
jumping'. Not the Louis Jordan tune, literally. Turk quotes "I Got
Rhythm" and "I'm In Love With You" during his solo. He and
Christian trade 4's and after Mike's solo Danny gets his shot. You know Turk
won't leave a stage without a little bit of his "Dirty BLUES". He has
all the ladies?? in the audience laughing with "when she saw what the
elephant had, she wouldn't go home with me." A totally appropriate way to end a rollicking 1st set.
Ron
Turso joins the band to open the 2d set with "Secret Love". Nicole
scats her portion and follows with a second chorus violin solo. During Mike's
solo he quotes "Someone Like You". Nicky and Ron trade rhythmic 4's
and then Nicole and Turk do the same. Everyone in the audience is having a
'blast.' But it's their turn to join in. Turk introduces a Sergio Mendez samba
titled "Tu es Tanga". He encourages the audience to sing the lyric,
which is --- La,, LaLa,, LaLaLa La,, LaLa --- it's the same in English. Nicole does
a thrilling violin solo.
Turk invites Randy Emerick, playing a red bari sax, to
the stage. While Randy is coming up, Turk tells a story about Buddy Rich. Turk
played with that band for a while and we all know Buddy's reputation. Turk
tells a tale of Buddy being wheeled into the operating room for a surgery'
"Can we do anything for you, Mr. Rich?" a nurse asked. "Yeah,
you can get rid of country music." Randy selects Duke's "Sophisticated
Lady". If you want to do this song on a bari, you must be a master of
tone. Randy is. The be-bop national anthem, "How High the Moon" is the
next selection. Turk starts it in ballad tempo and then they are off. Mike's
solo is bopped to the max. Randy and Ron do a drum/bari unison section before
Ron gets a solo portion. I, personally, am thrilled by the performance level.
Debbie Orta now graces the stage. She sings an emotional "Angel Eyes"
which almost brings a tear to mine. Almost. Note
about Debbie: slowly over the years she has become more involved with the JAZZ
idiom. Her interpretation of this song and
the expansion of her repertoire will certainly gain her a spot at the top.
After Debbie's song, Turk talks about his past loves and sadly says "I'll
never forget----what's her name." Nicky is featured on "So What"
a tune that I have tried for years to write a lyric to. I am still trying to
figure out why horn players always try---emphasize TRY, to sing. Turk does it
with "I've Got the World On A String". Fortunately, he sells
it well and Nicole saves it with her solo.
Turk says "Thank you for being
here and good-night". The audience won't let them leave----"Encore,
encore". "Uno mas" and they oblige. "R"--"R
A G"--"R A G G"--"Ragmop" from forever ago and
swinging. Denise and I do a little jitterbugging to end the evening of fun and
JAZZ.
Welcome home, Turk!!
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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