Submitted by Al Kanovsky 03/02/15
Al's Disclaimer:
...Hallandale Beach is a wasteland if you are looking for
live music closeby. Charlie Boyer is visiting while trying to get Jazz And
Blues(his online magazine) posted before the deadline. He wants to have dinner
with a little music but it has to be within a 15 minute or less drive. The only
place is Nando on Hallandale Beach Blvd.
Italian food, pianist, vocalist. Elio laye the piano.
Leah sang the songs. American songbook, show tunes, cabaret style.
"What A Difference A Day Makes" "Amado Mio" "Cry Me A
River", "Mambo Italiano", "Over the Ranbow done in samba rhythm and a song I
played 3 times a night, 6 nights a week from mid-November to mid-March in 1947.
It was a Duke Ellington composition,"Don't Get Around Much Anymore".
Many musicians of the time called it 'Mister Saturday
Dance'.
Sunday was brighter. 1st of the month. Riverwalk JAZZ Brunch
in Ft. Lauderdale. Mike Norris and his JAZZ Orchestra on the main stage. I've
said it a thousand times before. There is nothin' like Big Band. It is even
more so when they are playing great up-to-date charts. Starting in the back
row. Trumpet section. Ryan Chapman, Dennis Noday, Jack WENGROSKY, Waldron Dunkley and Steve Reid who sat in for a late arriving Jack. Trombones. Mike
Balogh on bass T-bone, Mike Egan, Waldron Dunkley and Tom Lacy. Sax section.
Bob Vandivort (bari). Bob saw me sitting in the sun and invited me up to sit
behind the band on stage. My everlasting 'thanks' for a unique experience.
Scott Austin & Wes Anthony(tenors). Ross Goldman & Luis Disla on altos.
In the rhythm section, Aaron Stang(guitar), Ariel Ramos(piano) Michael
Kolber(owner of All That JAZZ Cafe)on bass and Mike himself playing the kit
with all those cymbals. Two easy swinging songs opened the show.
"Grooving Easy" and "Goodbye Yesterday". Steve plays a
really nice Flugelhorn solo on 'Goodbye'. Now, something more familiar.
"Shiny Stockings". That gets folks up and dancing. The lst 2 bars
have the trumpets soaring way up there. They keep the groove going with a nice
tempoed shuffle titled "Big Swing Face" with a JAZZy piano solo and
tenor and trumpet solos to match. They slow it down with "Angel Eyes"
and Wes Anthony's touching solo. Keeping it mellow they continue with "Who
Can I Turn To". Scott gets his turn with an alto solo and Wes giving him
strong support. Hey, you are not gonna keep these guys away from swinging for
too long. How about a rousing "1 O'Clock Jump". The brass is in
charge. Trumpets and trombones blare. The audience is dancin', clappin'
and tappin'. That ends the first set accompanied by long-lasting applause. Paul
Shewchuk is playing at the Gazebo and stops to chat for a moment. The 2nd set
opens with a Medley of tunes from the film "Midnight Cowboy". I
don't know who is writing charts for Mike but they are very contemporary and
reflect the music, rhythms and harmonics of today. The piece is orchestral and
each of the sections gets a chance to show-off. Even Mike gets a solo in.
Next is a boogie titled "The Rotten Kid". Trombone solos all around.
A couple has been dancing all along and you can't help but notice their
attention to the rhythmic line of the melodies. They are Cristina and Jay Seber.
I learned a lot, just watching them. Ellington again with "A Train".
Rob does some super muted trumpet work and Ariel's piano solo is 'something
else'. They introduce Allan Gordon. He does Frank Sinatra tunes. I do Frank
Sinatra tunes. Jimmy Belize does Frank's tunes. Joel Kruger and Joe Donato sing
Ol' Blue Eyes tunes, my son Jon & son-in-law Mike do them too. Probably
every guy, especially Italians, think the can sing. Allan did "Come Fly
With Me". He followed with a song accompanied by a track. I didn't pay
attention. His last was "Luck Be A Lady". We were all lucky.-------.
The band did their famous "West Side Story" medley. Waldron took
the trombone solo on "There's A Place" to end the set. The final set
opened with the classic "Begin the Beguine". Wes takes the tenor solo
and Dennis the trumpet. Staying with one's we know they do "Georgia".
Did you ever hear a trumpet hit double A above high C. Jack WENGROSKY did it.
My hair stood on end. "My Foolish Heart" had Scott Austin featured on
tenor. The tune was introduced by Aaron's guitar solo and Ariel on piano. The
afternoons music was completed with another great chart of "Love For
Sale". That's another tune I played 3 times----------. I was sitting
behind the band for the entire performance. Loved the experience. Maybe it was
because of the proximity but all I can say is WOW!!!! what a trumpet
section!!!!
Tonight the Miami Jazz Co-op rent party at Open Stage in Coral Gables.Wendy
Pedersen et al. Need I say more.
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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Nice!
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