Submitted by Al Kanovsky 08/021/14
...sign on the outside
of a non-descript strip center on Miller Rd. in Kendall. The sign reads "Fish House" and the face of the store
front is a mural of a tropical beach. Walk through the door and you face a
small dining room. Turn to your right and you pass a refrigerated case loaded
with FRESH seafood. A few steps further and there is a smaller dining area with
booths. And then you hit it. A New Orleans inspired room, replete with balcony
and Mardi Gras masks. A stage, amps, speakers and probably the most talented
BLUES and JAZZ musicians in S. Florida appearing on a weekly basis. JAZZ on
Wednesday, BLUES on Thursday, eclectic on Saturdays. They are planning a reggae
night on September 2nd.
I joined Bill, Georgine, new friend Jim and Elaine at an
up-front table. Taking the stage was Mark Small (tenor sax), Aaron
Lebos (guitar), Gary Thomas (bass) and Arvel Akundi on drums. They hadn't
yet played a note but I anticipated a notable night. I was right. From the
first bar of "So Nice To Come Home To" to the last Jammed notes of a
Charlie Parker composition. Just great listening. After taking solo turns
and trading 8's with Arvel they played a Benny Golson tune, "Stable
Mates". Mark, a recent Doctorate degree recipient, plays a memorable solo
and Aaron takes off in to space. Arvel picks up on Aaron's vibe and continues
the galactic journey. This trip is enhanced when the play "Peace"
with a super mellow Mark solo followed by Gary's Five* solo. It doesn't take
long for be-bop to come home. First "Confirmation" and then Tadd
Dameron's "Good Bait" to end the set. The 2d set starts with the
quartet with an unnamed tune. Aaron is unstoppable and Arvel takes a 2+
chorus solo. The Jam is on with Miss Kelly Gonzalez (trumpet), Ben
Suarez (guitar) and Andy Stermer on drums. Mark and Gary stay with them. Most
notable was Andy's brush work at the kit. Now Ian Munoz (alto/12 yrs. old),
Zachary Auslander (guitar/off to Berklee tomorrow) join in to do "Record A
Me". I think that Zach enjoys playing as much as I do listening. A young
lady, Meraises Miranda, takes the stage to sing "Summertime"
accompanied by guitarist Chris Kuo. Meraises is in the early stages of her
future as a JAZZ vocalist and is headed in the right direction. One of my
favorite compositions is Thelonius' "Blue Monk". The band does it
full justice, Kelly as the first soloist with Ian Munoz, now playing 'soprano',
followed with inspired solos by Mark, Aaron, Gary and Arvel
to conclude the set.
The evening will come to an end with a couple of
songs. The first has Ben on guitar, Andy on drums, Mark and Gary playing
"Sunny Side of the Street" . Zach joins in for the next song and
then Chris shows off his 'chops' on "I Remember You". They top
the nite off with a Parker tune and I am now totally sated. I had
consumed 1 lb. of mussel fra diavolo, 1/2 loaf of bread and 2 HopHead
Reds.
Arvel had worn a pair of long cut-offs and
Zach cammy shorts. I admonished them letting them know that shorts are not
"stage performance" wear. I had noticed that Mark stared, unblinking.
at a space somewhere in front of him when playing. Almost as if he was reading
the music. When asked about it he told me about early staring habits
starting with the top stop of the tenor, then closing his eyes (didn't work)
then picking an audience member (made them uncomfortable) and finally picking a
space somewhere out in front of him. As far as reading it, he said
"Well--------".
Tonight JAZZiz Nightlife in Boca to placate my desire for clave. Nestor Torres. pok pokpok pokpok.
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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