George Coleman at Ibiza

About half way through the second set on Thursday, September 23rd, George Coleman walked into Ibiza Lounge. As far as I know, no one was expecting him. Joe anounced that Mr. Coleman had arrived and the air in the room changed. He sat down on the white couch and listened to our tight house band, Eric Alexander on sax, Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano, Tyler Mitchell on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Then he stood up and played along with the band on

John Coltrane's "Blue Train." The reverence and joy that we all felt to have Mr. Coleman present and to hear him play was palpable. At the end of "Blue Train" the audience roared. Joe asked Mr. Coleman to come up on stage and Eric Alexander said to me, "Get your camera ready, you are about to hear something fantastic." So I did. Click here to see the video of George Coleman and the band playing "Portrait of Jenny." All the musicians gave the best of themselves and out poured their accumulative experience, mutual respect, faith, and love for the music. Great art offers us the best of ourselves, if we open to it and give ourselves over to the experience. That is what happened to me. It was a rare, thrilling, generous night. Eric and Joe are back this week, Sept. 30th, with John Webber on bass and Rick Germanson on piano. There is not a better way to spend your Thursday night than in the presence of these hot musicians.