Birks Works

Last night I went to Smalls Jazz Club downtown and heard Mike LeDonne on piano, John Webber on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. They are all at the top of their game, but it was Webber who drew me in with his magic hands flying up and down that bass, particularly on Birks Works. Webber's sound was dense and pulsating, unpredictable and soothing.

Birks Works is on a forthcoming duet album that LeDonne and Webber recorded in Italy earlier this year.

New Stuff

My blog is changing . . . while I am searching for the right place to re-start a weekly jazz night, I am going out to hear the great musicians and their music that I have fallen in love with, and I will be writing about my experience here. I knew very little about jazz when I first started promoting over a year ago. My background is in the theater as a writer and performer. What I found in the musicians I met is a group of artists who are relentlessly dedicated to the live experience, the chance to play, the connection with their audience.

Last night I stopped by Smoke where Mike LeDonne was playing along with Peppe Merolla on drums, Dwayne Burno on bass, and Andrew Beals on sax. LeDonne killed it on 'Round Midnight. Andrew introduced Mike, the room got still, and there was just the piano. It was simple, clean, inviting, then a rupture full of heart and abandon happened that tore away any lingering walls. I turned to the guy next to me, a complete stranger, to see if he was feeling it too, and he looked back and just said, "Yeah." It's the live experience I crave -- hot, serious commitment to the expression of the truest part of our human experience. It burrows deep into you and at the same time sets you free to be right there, not thinking about the moment before or the next one to come.

Last Saturday I heard One For All play their last set of the night featuring my good friends, Eric Alexander on sax and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Eric brought his muscular, elegant sound to Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life." It was a stunner. I wait for Joe's drum solos every time I go to hear him play and he didn't disappoint. His controlled, brilliant havoc was riveting. I never know where he is going or what is going to happen next, but I'm on the edge of my seat taking the ride with him. http://www.smokejazz.com/ Wednesday night I will be at Smalls.

Summertime at Ibiza

On December 2nd the band played the hottest "Summertime" I've ever heard -- Eric Alexander on sax, Joe Farnsworth on drums, David Hazeltine on piano, Gerald Cannon on bass, and Alex Diaz on congas. Tony Hewitt stopped by and sang a swinging, sultry "Have You Met Miss Jones." And Travis Shook and Steve Einerson both showed up and sat in on the piano. It was freezing outside that night, but the vibe inside the club was scorching. Here is Joe doing his thing on those drums:

A Night in Ibiza

The band took the stage last Thursday to a full house. A hush fell over the crowd as they waited for those first notes . . . it was a lovely moment of mutual anticipation and respect between the artists and the audience . . . that fertile quiet before the storm. Eric Alexander on sax, Joe Farnsworth on drums, David Hazeltine on piano, and Seth Lewis on bass opened with "Blues for Rosalene," composed by Eric and Joe for Frankie's (the owner of Ibiza) baby daughter who was born on a thursday night jazz night back in May. It is a beautiful, romantic tune. They played a smoking version of "Bye Bye Blackbird," and one of my favorites, "Soul Eyes" featuring Eric's dynamic, monster, sexy sound. Eric's opening notes of "Tenderly" were just that, a tender, almost mournful cry. When Joe opened up on those drums he held us in the palm of his hand. We don't know where he is taking us next but we hang on every pulse as he weaves a precise thread with the perfect combination of power and restraint. David Hazeltine is a poised craftsman at the piano bringing grace and serious swing to his improvisations. Will Caviness on trumpet, Jack Sorock on piano and David Ruffles on bass sat it on a hot rendition of "A Night in Tunisia." David Croce on bass sat in for the last tune of the night "Blues for Frankie." There was something in the air last Thursday that made it a particularly great night . . . that ephemeral, captivating feeling that live performance is all about. We are closed for Thanksgiving, but will be back on December 2nd with Joe and Eric once again leading the band. Happy Holiday to all of you.

Eric is back!

On Thursday night Eric Alexander lead the band with David Hazeltine on piano, John Webber on bass, and Craig Wuepper on drums. Eric's love of the saxophone and the music and the work oozes out of him when he plays. He has an enormous presence and a brilliant, curious mind that never stops reaching for something new. When he started to play "Autumn in New York" (click here to see it on youtube) the power of his horn balanced against the melancholy beauty of the melody was simply staggering. David Hazeltine's arrangement of "Sunday in New York" was sublime. John Webber's fingers fly across his bass and the music is hot and solid, fluid and surprising. Eric killed it on an improvisation of Coltrane's Lazybird. Mike DiRubbo, a fierce sax player, showed up for the second set and Eric and Mike took off on "Sweet and Lovely." David Ruffels showed up and sat in on the bass, as did David Croce. Ibiza Jazz Nights is now six months old and going strong. It is a privilege to be there every week in the company of these committed, risk-taking, uncompromising, eloquent artists. This week, Nov. 18th, Eric Alexander and Joe Farnsworth will be playing together.

Mike DiRubbo leads the band

Mike DiRubbo stepped in at the last minute on Thursday and lead the band. He is an unassuming, soulful dude who plays the sax like a you-know-what. On "You've Changed" DiRubbo opened with a solo that killed me. It was deep, mystical beauty. John Webber, maybe my favorite bass player in New York, gave us a stunning solo on "Sentimental Mood" -- big and gutsy and then luscious and melodic. Peter Zak was also with us on piano, and Pete Von Nostrand on drums. The band was hot on "I Mean You." Rosie Steinberg stopped by and treated us to her lovely, warm voice on "Moonglow." This Thursday, November 4th, Joe Farnsworth is back leading the band. We will be having a complimentary wine tasting and toasting our six month anniversary of Ibiza Jazz Nights!

Autumn Leaves

"Green Dolphin Street" was written in 1947 by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington for the film of the same name starring Lana Turner, Van Heflin and Donna Reed. The song became a jazz standard when it was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Bill Evans among others. I heard it for the first time last Thursday with an extraordinary, beautiful introduction played by Anthony Wonsey on piano. Also with us last Thursday was the legendary powerhouse Dr. Eddie Henderson on trumpet. Our band leader, Joe Farnsworth, delivered his electric, unpredictable heart and soul on the drums. John Webber put his arms around me and held me just right with his warm solos, particularly during "Autumn Leaves." Paul West stopped by and played "Just In Time" with Joe and Anthony. And Ron Odrich showed up and sat in with his clarinet on "Old Folks" and "Autumn Leaves." Frankie Goris, the owner of Ibiza Lounge, has opened his doors to some of the world's greatest jazz musicians to create a thriving artistic community in our corner of the Bronx. Only in New York are we lucky enough to have such passionate entrepreneurs and world-class artists living and working next door.