Submitted
by Al Kanovsky 08/20/15
...happened
last night on 'toity-toid' in Ft. Lauderdale. It took place at Danny Burger’s Showcase.
Celebrations
included Joe Donato's birthday, Joe & Kathleen's anniversary and my being
alive. Lots of friends, plenty of musicians and warm greetings all around. My
buddy Bill was there when I arrived already 2 deep in vodka martinis. He was
enjoying Glenda Grainger and Gary Lawrence as Glenda sing 'cabaret' and
therefor Bill knows the words to all her tunes. Friend Isabel and her brother
Jim came in. Babette seated herself behind me. Joe's friends Joel and Steve
showed up. The band has Brian Murphy at the K.B., Matt Bonneli on the upright
bass, Danny (brushmeister) Burger at the kit. Joe Donato plays alto, bent
soprano, piccolo and ?vocals?. Jack Siegel (trumpet), Hank Greedenberg (T-bone)
and Keanu (saxes) are all in the house. The music started with Joe quoting Diz.
"No Blues, No JAZZ" He has written a BLUES lyric which talks about
the music and the club we are in. Brian can play the BLUES. Matt can play the
BLUES. Danny keeps them in & on time. It is Joe and Kathleen's anniversary
and so Joe does Cole Porter's "I Love You". He invites his bride to
the stage to sing a lovely "Skylark" to which Brian contributes an
emotional solo. "Lullaby of Birdland" has Joe on piccolo and it
swings. Hank & Jack are invited up and deliver on an exciting "If I
Were A Bell". The joint is jumping and Keanu steps up to lead them into
"Moanin", with everybody joining in and blowing the walls down. It is
a JAM!!!!
Joe asks Danny to call the tune. "I'll Remember April".
Danny's solo tells all you need to know about why he picked that song. Jack
added a boppin' solo as well to end the set. "Send In the Clowns" is
the 2nd set opener. A parody of "Pennies From Heaven"----Benny's From
Heaven is sung by Joe. He has the voice for it. The first time I heard that
parody was in October 1947 when I had a band in B.S Pully's Pump Room on
Washington Ave. in South Beach.
Kathleen returned to the stage to sing "Once Upon A
Summertime" and "You Better Do Right". Kathleen follows with a
very romantic "Moon River" with Brian completing the mood. Joe plays
soprano and alto simultaneously for "Chattanooga Cho-Choo". Ronny
Brooks is invited to sit in on drums. When asked what he would like to play, he
says "Any Bossa". Okay. We get "Desifinado" and from Black
Orpheus "Day In the Life of A Fool". I forgot to mention my pal Bette
Forman. She is sitting alongside me. Bette claps, taps, and shakes her
shoulders to every tune. She loves music and it shows. She is a volunteer at
Arts Garage & really digs sushi. Hal Rowland is next at keyboards and vox
with "Just the Way You Look tonight", "Just In Time" and
"Light My Fire". Joe sings an odd song about Leo the lion. Every musician
in the joint is up for "A Train" wit Keanu playing soprano. Swing,
swing, swing. Brian does some ragtime a little barrel house and some straight
ahead JAZZ. That ended the set. My back was starting to hurt and my head was
beginning to buzz. Best to head home. As I was leaving Joe was dedicating a
tune to Babette. "Sophisticated Lady". Appropriate!
Thanks
to all my friends for the good wishes and support. Special thanks to Martine
& Jacques for initiating a campaign for replacement.
Next
week I am scheduled to be a judge at a harmonica (harp) competition at the
Bradfordville BLUES Club. Should be fun.
(More info on this HERE.)
Al's Disclaimer:
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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