Submitted
by Al Kanovsky 06/11/15
…to never
ask a woman her age. I had 2 older sisters and a mother. In all my growing up
years there were never candles on any birthday cake. I knew my sisters were
older than me and my mother was older than them. Tante Razel was older than
anybody and everybody.
Last
night Glenda Grainger revealed her age to me, voluntarily. She does have
history and pictures of her some years ago are of a magnificent creature. Her
voice is that of a much younger vocalist. She is not a JAZZ singer. Ms. Grainger
is the quintessential "cabaret" vocalist. Occasionally she will do a
couple in the JAZZ genre to satisfy me. Her accompanist is Gary Lawrence. Gary
can play any song written in the last 200 years and in any key without any
sheet music. He also knows the lyrics. I arrived at 6:45 and Glenda was on
until 7:30. She did at least 20 standards. I made note of all the titles but
did that up-in smoke trick again sooooooooo….
Tonight was Danny Burger's weekly Showcase. Along with Danny was Brev Sullivan on guitar, Dr. Jaimie Ousley on bass, Marc
Berner (reeds) and the one and only Brian (2brain) Murphy at the 88s.
In the
packed house were Jaimie's new bride Nanami Morikawa, guitarist Lindsay Blair,
longtime JAZZophile Ron, Holly Spillane, Isabel with her brother Jim, her
boyfriend and bassist Paul Shewchuck.
They
opened with "7 Steps To Heaven". Brian set the stage, taking the
first solo. Jaimie is an upper register wonder. Brev, a product of "heavy
metal" has become quite comfortable with his newly adopted genre and
showed his creative side. Danny caught the groove and did a full chorus solo.
Next was a song from Brev's childhood years titled "Icarus". Marc played tenor flute
to do "The Nearness Of You". Brev and Marc did some really nice work. Danny, Brian and Jaimie soloed The trio selected a tune from forever
ago---"Dearly Beloved". If you paid attention to Brian’s solo you
would have heard the influences of pianists from Earl 'Fatha" Hines to
Lenny Tristano. Jaimie & Danny were impressive as well. The band returned
to play "Once In A While", with a brilliant solo by Brian. I like that alliteration.
From now on instead of '2 brain' he will be Brian Brilliant Murphy. They ended
the set with a Danny Kaye song from forever ago, "Inchworm, Inchworm".
It turned into one of those moments that you will remember for a long time.
Marc playing soprano delivered a 5* solo and then did some amazing contra work
opposite the tenor. Danny brought the number to a rousing finish.
The 2nd
set opened with a super up-tempo "You Stepped Out Of A (drum) Dream"
which featured Danny. "The Little Train of Typura" was done to a nice
samba rhythm with Marc on flute. Brev took center stage
for "You Don't Know What Loves Is". A very emotional rendition
with Marc adding a tenor solo. They closed the set with "Caravan".
The last set had them doing a boppish "Janine". It was followed by
"Cocovado". The rhythm was moderate Bossa Nova until Brian got hold
of it and turned it into a Carnivale tempo Samba. 'something else'. It was the
rhythm sections spotlight again. Talk about history---"Poinciana".
The band remembered it from Ahmad Jamal. I remember it as a big band swing hit
in the late 30's. Outstanding solos by each of the trio with Danny
"blowing 'em up".
The show closed traditional way with "Day
By Day" followed closely by "Amazing Grace".
It's by
His Grace that I am where I am and able to do what I do.
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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