...twice. Last week I listened to BLUES in one spot (Dania Beach
Grill) and then went on to BJB's for JAZZ. Yesterday I followed that same
routine. Niles 'Red Beans' Blaize hosts the BLUES Jam. It's his birthday today.
Happy Birthday, Niles. His wife Marie treated all to a delicious birthday cake.
My buddy Jimmy Belize and his gal Nancy came along and so did Jackie Deering
(one of my favorite dance partners). On stage to open the Jam were Dan
Newman (guitar), Paul St.Peirre (bass) and Jimmy Daniels on drums. Jimmy had just
returned from delivering his son to Berklee School in Boston where he had been
awarded a scholarship. Congratulations. Ed
Cobin is sitting in on congas. Niles plays harp and does BLUES vocals. The
vocal renditions included "Got the Fever For the Bayou", "The
Saints Go Marching In" and "Baby Turn Your Lights Down Low".
Niles is joined by Nw Yor Dan(guitar) and Charlie Valenti on tenor sax when he
does "Gotta Help Me". They follow with a bit of funk and Charlie
shows off. Jacqie in tight black shorts and white polka dot blouse is invited
up and he sings "Midnight Special". Valenti's solo is a
"bar-walker' special. He is totally worn out by the performance. Jacqie
continues with "Stand By Me" with Bill Pushkar now on tenor sax. Lots
of changes in personnel including the 'Fireside Trio'. Pocahontas is playing
congas and shaking all the right parts. She takes the stage with her guitar
player (sorry, didn't get his name). He plays and sings "Queen Of the
Underground" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want". I have
consumed a Philly Steak sandwich and Jackie scoffed down some blackened fish. Both
very good and gracefully served by Cindy.
Time for dessert and a change of
venue and genre. Off to BJB's for some JAZZ, coffee and chocolate mousse. It
turned out to be an exceptional multiple treat. Danny Burger's Showcase was
spotlighting the Greg Diaz Trio. Greg (tenor sax/vocals), James
McCoy (bass/electric) and new to me Eero Turninen playing piano. This becomes
one of the nights of unforgetable music that happens every once in a while.
Very good musicians reaching even higher.
We arrived just in time for the opening of the 2d set. "Bernie's Tune" and we knew, instantly, we were in for an exciting evening of JAZZ, capital J A Z Z. From Sweeney Todd, Greg sings "Drifting Women" and then "In the Limelight". He followed with an original tune that I think had "Raven" in the title. It was a very unique and interesting piece of music which had the four of us leaning forward to catch every note of every bar. There are 2 birthdays in the house, Bev and Daneesha. The band rocks the B.D. song. "Greg sings "Beautiful Love", speaking of which, Jackie is dating Mike Brignola (baritone sax). If you don't know Mike, he is the smallest man to ever play that instrument and is a very well regarded JAZZ musician. Both James and Eero take 5 star solos and Greg takes it out with an almost unbelievable scat section accompanied by Danny. They play the theme from "Black Orpheus" during which James quotes "Jingle Bells" playing electric bass and mouthing phrases along.
During the break I ask James about
it. "Do you sing what you play or play what you sing?". I ask that
question and it always gets a puzzled look at first. Then becomes thoughtful.
The answers are as varied as the musicians themselves. James gave it a lot of
thought and the final result was, at least for him, there is no time for reaction.
It is one thought and one action. Instrument fingering and vocal all a result
of a singular brain function. The last set opened with a little bop, titled
"Sugar". Greg explains the meaning of the term "Monkey
Woman" and goes on to sing and play the BLUES tune. One of the
lines---"Going to Chicago. Sorry can't take you. There ain't nothin' in
Chicago for a monkey woman like you to do." Jackie and I dance the
"Fish". A change of tempo and mood with a racing "Dancing Cheek
to Cheek". How many of you are old enough to remember King Pleasure and
his vocal rendition of Moody's "Mood For Love". Greg does and does it
right adding his only little twists and turns. They close the evening with
"Eternal Triangle". Greg's tenor solo takes you even beyond what
Sonny Stitt did. Eero is a master of technique and imagination. James is an
unequaled bassist and Danny does what he does to close the show--dynamic and
driving. Heck of a night with good friend and great
musicians.
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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