Submitted by Al Kanovsky 06/13/14
...Right Time" for Jam sessions. It can be JAZZ or BLUES
or both. A Jam is a Jam regardless of genre. A great place to witness one is a
place that's in a nondescript strip center on Miller Rd. in Kendall. It is
well known to JAZZophiles and BLUESiacs because of their Wednesday (JAZZ) and
Thursday (BLUES) sessions. I missed Wednesday night which meant I missed Ira
Sullivan, Lisanne Lyons and Wendy Pedersen plus the many young players who get
up to play. I pulled myself together to meet buddy Bill and fellow Havana traveler, Elaine, at The Fish House.
The house band had Darrell
Raines (guitar/vocals), George Caldwell (bass), Dagmar Avencibia (drums), Bill
Clark (bongos/harp/percussion) Julian Harris (guitar) and Michael Wainright on
keys, tenor, flugelhorn and vocals. The opener was "Ain't No
Sunshine" and Darrell PLAYED the BLUES. Next "Magic". Mike
picked up the tenor and played a JAZZ/BLUES solo. Julian impressed me with his
first solo of the evening. I hadn't taken him seriously because he was wearing
shorts even though they bore a Berklee logo. His playing changed my
mind. I do maintain that if you want an audience to pay attention to what yu
play be aware of what you wear. In the key of "F" Darrell sang an
impassioned "Things That I Used To Do". He and Julian played 5 star
solos and Bill was inspired on his harp portion. Part of the lyric says,
"I'm gonna send you back to your Momma and go back to my family too".
The song is really BLUES and is indicative of too many of present day
relationships. They follow with a capital 'F' funk tune. Michael on tenor and
the two guitars are wailing and then Dagmar and Bill do a bongo/traps duo. They
double-down with another funky beat "Foolish Heart of Mine". The set
is concluded with a Darrell BLUES original, "Love Doctor".
The 2d set
is a Jam contest. The players are vying for a cash prize. Before the
contestants come up the band does "Kansas City" to a nice shuffle
beat. First up is Anthony(guitar). They play "Rainy Night In Georgia"
with Darrell doing the vocal before Anthony's guitar solo. Anthony's 2d song is
"Sweet Home Chicago" in which he shows lots of original thought. Next
up is Ben(guitar). They do a Beatles tune "Over Me" and Ben is
technically perfect. On Ben's next tune Michael does the vocal on a song that
the only part of the title I got was 'House'. 3d was Jack or Zach (guitar), not
sure. He was a bit younger than the prior two. He played well and will
improve with seasoning. They did a rock/BLUES which he was comfortable
with. #4 was Tony, a professional musician who had just stopped by. He played
flute to "I'm Coming Home". At #5 was another Tony. A guy,
approaching my age. Tony was up there to sing "Georgia" and "Everyday".
There was a pretty young lady, Ingrid Vila, in the audience. She was enjoying
every minute. Dagmar had joined her in the audience and handed her the
tambourine. He gave Ingrid some rudimentary lessons and off she
went, rattlin' all the way. The first Anthony (guitar) took the prize by
popular vote. The last set was an all-out Jam. Ben on bongos, Tony, the
vocalist on drums and Michael at the keyboard for a rousing "Mustang
Sally". Can you be in Miami and not do a Latin tune? Nooooo. "Oye
Como Va" with Darrell on keys, Mike on tenor, Rene Dial (bongos). Both
Julian and Anthony (contest winner) doing 5 star solos. "Black Magic
Woman" and then the BLUES with Darrell at the keyboard, Ben and
Julian on guitars, Mike doing the vocal to conclude the evening.
I noticed that
for the first time in seven years that George sat through the performance and Darrell
had grey hairs sprouting. Before giving George a ride home I spoke with
Angela (owner with hubby Jose). I let her know how much I appreciated her
devotion to promoting 'live' JAZZ and BLUES in this modest but very good
restaurant. She does it because she, like I, loves music. George and I spoke
about the music 'biz' and how important that the youngsters coming up
understand that it is a business as well as an art. Learning to play is one part.
Learning to read (a contract) is just as important. The worldwide news is scary
and depressing. George H.W. sky dives at 90 is the only
happy note.
Thank the Lord for music and musicians
to play it.
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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