Venture forth old man...("Old", in a non-quantitative way, Allen Kanovsky?)

Submitted by Al Kanovsky 12/15/14

...and discover a whole new world. 

I ventured forth on Sunday afternoon and although I didn't find a new world I did uncover hidden treasure. A free JAZZ concert at the Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood and sponsored by the Music Club of Hollywood. 

Featured was Wendy Pedersen (vocals), Jim 'the

genius' Gasior (grand piano), Bob Grabowski (bass) and Rudolfo Zuniga (drums). The rhythm section opened the program with "The Little Drummer Boy". Jim's solo and Rudolfo's  extensions were a clue

as to what a treat I was in for. Wendy took the stage and started her portion with "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". Ms. Pedersen knows what to do with melodic and rhythmic lines. Bob's solo enhanced the rendition. Next, Wendy sang her composition, "Give Me A Kiss That Will Last All Year". It is a warm kind of song and Jim added a short but emotional touch. There is something special in the way Wendy and Jim unite musically. Funk enfolds the Christmas spirit in their playing of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Jim delivers a head bobbing, hand clapper. Rudolfo and Bob follow up and Wendy has to take control before they have everybody up and dancing. "Christmas Is Coming Again" is another showcase for Wendy and Jim. Bob gets his fun-filled solo in.  

Uh-oh!!!! The delete monster grabbed the rest of my notes. Memory fails me except for a wonderful interpretation of "Caravan" that started with Jim playing the strings of the piano by hand and Wendy delivering a definitively middle-eastern tone poem. The traveled from the casbah to a ballroom dance floor and back. Rudolfo kept the tempo and mood just right.

I remember them closing with "All I Got For Christmas Was the Blues". As you can see in the pic, Jim was wearing a suit coat, white shirt and tie. His excuse is in the caption..

"I ran out of clean clothes."

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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