Submitted by Al Kanovsky 02/03/15
Al's Disclaimer:
...MAGIC.
It can transport you through a delightful experience.
It happens, thankfully, in every genre of music. I'll go back to Nelson Eddy
with Jeanette McDonald, Keely Smith and Louis Prima, Sonny & Cher, Johnny
Cash & June Carter and of course Billie Holiday & Lester
Young. The pairing, inspirational to each other.
Last night at the MiamiJAZZ Co-op's Rent Party we were treated to the CD release party of Samm
and Jamie Ousley's "The Unorthodox Duo". Samm sings, Jamie
strums and sometimes bows. They are a perfect union of voice and instrument.
Samm's voice has a deep timbre which is suited to singing along with upright
bass. Jamie is among the most creative of bassists and his style is a
beautiful complement to Samm's vocals.
They open with one from their CD,
"This Is All I Ask" Samm has a wonderful sense of timing which keeps
you listening closely. They change moods with a tune from the Depression years,
"My Heart Belongs To Daddy", done with a rhumba rhythm. Then
Samm sings Abbey Lincolns "First Song", a lovely ballad. When they do
"Sweet Lorraine" Samm takes lots of liberty with the melodic line
which is very interesting. "Whatever Lola Wants" is from a Broadway
musical and the do it in tango time with Jamie using his bow. Charlie Haden
wrote the melody and Samm contributed a lyric to "La
Passionaria". Jamie's solo will be hard to forget. "To
Sir With Love", "Wild is the Wind" and "Alone
Together" complete the set. The audience is comprised of fans and lots of
our local musicians. The long round of applause is well deserved.
The 2nd sets
first song is from the CD, "Beautiful Love". Again Samm's unique
sense of timing adds dimension to the melody. When we speak of ballads,
there are some that are timeless. "In the Still Of the Night" is one
of the many songs that fit the bill. Maria Rivas is in the audience and
she is invited up to do "Alfonsina De La Mar". It had been a hit for
Maria in her native Valenzuela". It's also a favorite of Jamie and Nanami
and on the CD "Sea of Voices". Lisanne Lyons is up to do
"I Thought About You" with some great scat lines. Nanami is
next and she pleads for Larry Lapin to join them on piano. She sings "If I
Were A Bell". She swings it and so do Larry and Jamie. Samm returns to
do Cole Porter's "Secret Love".
Jim Gasior is at he bar enjoying
an adult beverage and some finger food. He licks his lips, wipes off his digits
and graces the stage. At the beginning of this review I wrote about super
musical unions. Jim Gasior and Wendy Pedersen should be in the headline. He,
Samm & Jamie do a couple including "All My Dreams" during which
Jim plays a most creative solo. A young, Keanu, steps up with his alto sax
and he, Samm and Jamie do a be-bop tune "Now's The time". A complete
change of tempo and mood when Samm and Jamie do a tune from 'Carousel',
"You'll Never Walk Alone", to close the show.
My pal Dr. Jules
Oaklander, has his daughter visiting from California and she loved the
'night and the music'. So did I.
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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