Submitted by Al Kanovsky 03/26/15
Joining Chick, Diana and I were Nancy, Jimmy and Denise. Maria took the stage in a stunning outfit. Skin tight black trousers, black blouse, white sport coat and a black Cuban cap. Her hair was curly and the color of good brandy held up to light. It is Danny Burger's Showcase and joining him on the stand are Brian Murphy at the piano and Nicky Orta playing bass. Maria opens with "Jinji" in Portuguese. "Love Comes Along" was next and it was followed by "It Don't Mean a Thing". Swingin' tunes lead to dancing so Denise and I did our best. Nicky adds a great bass solo. The trio does an instrumental which I don't recognize and Maria returns to sing "My Funny Valentine" to a latin beat. Nancy, Jimmy, Denise and I are all up, dancing. Maria continued with "PocoPoco". Brian outdoes even himself with a very imaginative solo. Maria opens the 2nd set with "Lush Life" and I wonder why entertainers look directly at me when they do that song. "I Got Rhythm" with some scat lines and Maria steps off the stage to do a few Charleston steps with Denise. Nicky and Danny heighten the excitement. Dizzy's "Night In Tunisia" is next. Maria loves this song and it shows. Brian an Nicky inspire one another. She does Jobim and swings it. The rhythm section does "Invitation" and Maria returns to do "See What Happens". "Besame Mucho" has Denise & I along with several others on the dance floor. "We'll Be Together Again" always touches me in a special way. Flo and I were "together again" after 30 years of divorce. We were parted by her demise but I know His plan will have us rejoined.
The show ends with "One Note Samba". Great night
with good friends and wonderful music. Sat around and chatted with Brian and Donna Blue. We were joined by Shannon and Ryan. The glow of their recent
'engagement' surrounds them. Jackie Deering and I played a role in their romance...
Al's Disclaimer:
...was fiction. It was inspired by Charlie Boyer's suggestion
that I write a dream piece of a perfect night at a perfect club. So I did.
Last
night was real. Real in every way imaginable.
It started with me meeting with
an old pal and his wife. Norman 'Chick' Berger and I have been pals for more
than 70 years. I met his wife Diana when she was 17. Chick, I and 9 others
had what was known as a "Social Club" during our teen years. It was
in the basement of a 2 family house in the Bronx. The floor was enamel black.
The walls hunter green and emblazoned with mural copies of Picasso works. We
had a record player and a bar. Young ladies were invited to join us and
dance on Friday and Saturday nights. Our clubroom was appropriately named
"The Pump Room". The subtitle on the invitation cards was
"Chicago----Miami---New York". Sundays we went to Yankee or Giants
games. Weeknights we played poker. There are only 4 of us left. Chick, myself,
'Norty' Grant and Freddy Marcus.
Joining Chick, Diana and I were Nancy, Jimmy and Denise. Maria took the stage in a stunning outfit. Skin tight black trousers, black blouse, white sport coat and a black Cuban cap. Her hair was curly and the color of good brandy held up to light. It is Danny Burger's Showcase and joining him on the stand are Brian Murphy at the piano and Nicky Orta playing bass. Maria opens with "Jinji" in Portuguese. "Love Comes Along" was next and it was followed by "It Don't Mean a Thing". Swingin' tunes lead to dancing so Denise and I did our best. Nicky adds a great bass solo. The trio does an instrumental which I don't recognize and Maria returns to sing "My Funny Valentine" to a latin beat. Nancy, Jimmy, Denise and I are all up, dancing. Maria continued with "PocoPoco". Brian outdoes even himself with a very imaginative solo. Maria opens the 2nd set with "Lush Life" and I wonder why entertainers look directly at me when they do that song. "I Got Rhythm" with some scat lines and Maria steps off the stage to do a few Charleston steps with Denise. Nicky and Danny heighten the excitement. Dizzy's "Night In Tunisia" is next. Maria loves this song and it shows. Brian an Nicky inspire one another. She does Jobim and swings it. The rhythm section does "Invitation" and Maria returns to do "See What Happens". "Besame Mucho" has Denise & I along with several others on the dance floor. "We'll Be Together Again" always touches me in a special way. Flo and I were "together again" after 30 years of divorce. We were parted by her demise but I know His plan will have us rejoined.
The final
set opens with "Our Love Is Here To Stay". They play "Route
66" and I can't help but dance. Maria can scat and along with Danny's solo
much joy is in the house. "Desafinado" followed by "Autumn
Leaves", again in Portuguese and scat. She says this one is for me and
sings "The Very Thought 'Of You".
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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