Submitted
by Al Kanovsky 05/11/15
...is what JAZZ musicians call New York City. Manhattan,
specifically. I don't know how it came by that appellation but it did. Manhattan
has over 200 venues that have live JAZZ played a least twice a week.
One of them
is SMOKE. JAZZ 7 nights. It's located on Broadway. Not the Broadway around Times
Square. Uptown between 105th and 106th. The club is small, holding about 65/70.
Bar stools and table seating are hip to hip. Tables are separated by the
thickness of a tablecloth. I always sit at the bar hoping that someone of
suitable gender, 5 foot 10 or taller, wearing something short and tight finds
the bar stool next to mine. "Dreams can come true" even if it's only
once in a while.
SMOKE not only has JAZZ 7 nights it also has a JAZZ brunch on Sunday. The brunch features Annette St. John and her trio. And a JAZZ trio
it is. Venerable Vinnie Ruggiero on piano, Earl Sauls on bass and at the
kit Darrell Smith. The trio started the session with a couple of standards
which gave each of them a chance to show off a little and let the audience know
that they were going to be treated to a late morning/early afternoon of good
JAZZ. Annette took the stage, singing to a full house of Mother's Day celebrants
and JAZZophiles. Paying tribute to Lady Day and Big Maybell. BLUES, swing, even
a little R&R her program was a delight. Tunes like "East of the
Sun", "Broadway", "Crazy" and one of my Billie Holiday
favorites "Fine and Mellow" --- 'he wears high drape pants, the
stripes are oh so yellow'. Memories, memories. Keith, the bartender,
joined in on a couple of the BLUES. I sat through 2 sets, fried chicken
& waffles, several cups of coffee and 3 'bloody Marys' made with freshly
grated horseradish.
I would have stayed for the 3d set but had to meet
Missy, Ali and Mike back at my hotel on 32nd and Broadway. Rode the bus most of
the way and walked (slowly) the last 9 blocks. During my time in the Apple
I availed myself of all the modes of transit available. Taxis, the subway,
busses and even legwork. Missy and her family were celebrating Mother's Day with
dinner at Elias in Astoria, Queens. If you are a favored customer you can
BYOB. My daughter, Melissa, had paid attention as a youngster and knows how to
make real Sangria --- lots of brandy. Salad, mussels, freshly caught and
broiled fishes. Man-O-man.
Thanks to all the young musicians at the Essentially
Ellington Competition. Thanks to Annette St.John and her trio for an
enjoyable early Sunday. Thanks Keith for excellent Bloody Marys. Thank
you Melissa, Michael and Alexandra for making Zeder feel so good.
*Personal
note. The picture of the guy playing a pocket trumpet on 34th and B'way could
have been me(If I had practiced harder).
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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