Submitted
by Al Kanovsky 05/04/15
...3 sets of music and
new every title, melody and even the lyrics. It happened to me yesterday at the
Riverwalk JAZZ Brunch in Ft. Lauderdale. The band was the Glyn Dryhurst Quintet.
Glyn on trumpet, Danny Burger (drums), Dave Williams(piano), Dave
Wilkinson(bass) and Bob Hanni(guitar/vocals). The band opened with
"Perdido". Glyn playing muted trumpet. Each took a turn and then
traded 4's. They took it out with the associated bop riff. There may be only a
few of you who remember tunes like "JaDa". The lyric goes---"ja
da, ja da, jada, jada jing jing boom". My older sisters danced to that
way, way back in the day. By the way, Danny Burger is no youngster, but he was
the kid of this group. "Bye Bye Blackbird" has dancers up. Some
young, some not so, and a couple of them of my generation. One of my
favorite dnce partners, Denise Shuster, has shown up and we do some
hi-stepping. Bob Hanni handles the vocal on "Do You Know What It Means"
and Wilkinson adds a really nice bass solo. Back when I was 16 and pretending
to be a trumpet player, my quintet, played a Duke novelty tune titled
"Squeeze Me But Please Don't Tease Me". This group did it a lot
better. They followed with "Night Train". This tune was originally
recorded by Jimmy Forrest(tenor sax) in 1951. It led to the dance step called
"The Fish" which was done in every cellar club in N.Y. Bob does a
nice bit of scat singing to this one. "Baby Ain't I Good To You" and
we are solidly back in the 'swing' era. They play "On the Street Where You
Live". Nice trumpet and guitar solos. They do "Desifinado"
during which Bob quotes "A Train". What tune do they play next? The
power o suggestion. Of course, "A Train". More folks dancing and
lots more stop to listen. The 2d set opens with another Ellington tune,
"In A Mellow Tone". Wilkinson gets his chance to 'wow' the audience
and he does. I vaguely remember Louis Armstrong doing "Is You Is Or Is You
Ain't My Baby" so when the band plays it I am carried back to my 'yute' so
many years ago. They play "Comin Home Baby" to Ritmo Latino
as their audience continues to grow. When they do "Mack the
Knife" Denise and I manage to find space to do our thing. While Bob sings
"Sweet Lorraine" I spy Clarence Palmer in the audience. Martine &
Jacques are dancing behind the bandstand. "Pennies From Heaven" goes
way back. The parody "Benny's From Heaven" was done by my employer,
comedian B.S.Pully when I worked for him in 1947. They close the set with a
rousing version of "Caravan" and it gives Danny Burger the
opportunity to blow the tom-toms up. The last set started with "Lullaby Of
Broadway" Mari Bell stopped to say Hello. A rarely heard Ellington tune
"The Mooch" has Martine & Jacques doing an up close and personal. Good
solos by Glyn and Bob. "All Of Me" is a song my? band allowed me to
sing way back then. I am solidly on the walk 'down memory lane'. "Teach Me
Tonight" and I remember the first kisses I shared with Flo in the summer
of 1956. We were married before the year ended. Django was remembered with
"Swing 32". "Everyday" was a Basie/Williams hit. One
night of our honeymoon was spent listening to them at Birdland. The opening act
was Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. Yeah, Flo loved JAZZ too. When they do
"English Dance" it gives Danny another chance at stick mastery. The crowd insists on
"ONE MORE". What else but Duke and "Satin Doll". Thanks to
all the musicians who played for me yesterday and brought back all the
wonderful memories of days long gone by.
*Editor's Note to Al: Have a great time in NYC, but don't forget to come back! Give our best to ALL the competitors in the Essentially Ellington program, but 'specially those from FLA!
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?"
~ ~ ~
Posted by Jazz & Blues Florida
Or, just use this FORM to sign up to have
Florida's jazz & blues news delivered to your inbox.
And, if you like what you see here, please HIT THAT FACEBOOK SHARE BUTTON below!
Thanks!
Did you know that as Florida’s ONLY promotion platform for live jazz & blues:
We have the only monthly publication dedicated to previews of upcoming jazz and blues shows in Florida at www.JazzBluesFlorida.com
No comments :
Post a Comment