When among your friends and...(Allen Kanovsky probably needs an advanced math class to count all his friends at Arts Garage!)

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 06/01/14

...acquaintances you can count ladies like, Jackie Deering, Jeannette Pina, Bette Forman and Patricia Reybold, you can say you are "One Happy Fella". When you add Arts Garage and a big JAZZ band you are in for a heck of a good night. A very positive plus was meeting Ms. Pamela Carey, business manager for the Naples JAZZ Orchestra. She was kind enough to supply me with the band roster and 'play list'. Jackie, an international flight attendant with American Airlines and occasional dance partner brought along a veritable picnic feast. Berries, assorted cheeses, liverwurst, crackers,  cheese twists from Costa Rica and a well chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio. When you're hanging with Jackie you are definitely flying first class. Yeah, yeah. I know----the music. Having never seen or heard the band before, I was thinking it was a long way from Naples, Italy to Deerfield Beach. Duh!!! Each and every member of this band can BLOW. They come from all over the state to play together. Bob Stone is the band leader and drummer. Kenny Drew Jr. is masterful at the piano. The sax section has Rodney Rojas (alto), Don Rhynard (alto), Tom Ellison (tenor), David Pate (tenor) and the one and only Mike Brignola on baritone. I actually believe the horn weighs more than Mike. 

Trombones are Herb Bruce, Greg Nielson, Gary Kaback (sub for Dick Hamilton) and the bass trombonist Adren Hance. The back row (trumpet section) has David Pruyn, Mark Pettey, Ryan Chapman (sub for Doug Michels) and Jeff Woolridge. On bass is local favorite Paul Shewchuck. They opened the program with "Low Down" which gave Kenny a chance to show what he has. The next tune was a swinging "How Long Has This Been Going On"  with a nice plunger muted solo by David Pruyn. (you know what I said about going in to the plumbing supply biz). "Green Dolphin Street" gave David Pate an opportunity to display his rich tone. They played a Duke Ellington tune that is seldom heard, "Blood Count". It was composed by Billy Strayhorn while he was ill. Duke recorded it but never played it in a live performance. Rodney Rojas thoroughly enjoyed playing those long Strayhorn phrases. "A Foggy Day" had Mike Brignola and Dave Pettey showing off and 'jumpin''. "Semi-Mental Journey" is a play on words and melody. The trombone is not generally thought of as a romance instrument. Not so when the band played "The Touch of Your Lips". The set closed with "Ol' Man River" and had the audience (full house) on it's feet with applause. Before starting the 2d set Bob told how lucky he felt to be playing with all the guys in this band. I felt the same way about listening to them. The set had ballads and jump tunes. Great solos that were not read off of the charts. Trumpets blaring, trombones growling, saxes being melodic, piano tinkling, the bass keeping the beat and the drums pushing it all along. Danced a couple with Jackie and generally had a great time. The audience at Arts Garage is hip, hep, cool and knowledgeable. They listen to the music and talk only when the music stops. Anyone who loves live music appreciates that. Hoped to make the Las Olas 1st Sunday JAZZ but Jackie, Jeannette and I went to DaDa when the music stopped. The conversation didn't. We talked and talked and talked and talked---------    

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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