An Beal Bocht Cafe

Last night was my first gig as producer of Linda's Jazz Nights with Eric Alexander on sax, Joe Farnsworth on drums, and John Webber on bass. The guys were on fire playing to an enthusiastic, ripe, sold out crowd at An Beal Bocht Cafe.

The best art gets inside you and changes you, gives you a new way to experience your own life. That's what happened to me when I first heard these guys which is why I'm doing this and it happened again last night.

They opened up with a bluesey, swinging original tune. Then Steve Davis, who stopped by for the first set, lead a melancholy, beautiful "The Nearness of You." His trombone is smooth and subtle, and then the depth of it catches up with you.

Joe Farnsworth's solo on on the next tune was explosive and hypnotic. He has tremendous presence as a musician. He is enticing and commanding while simultaneously leading you into a song and taking care of his audience. His distinctive, wide-ranging, nuanced voice comes through on those drums creating a whole world suspending me in the moment.

They opened the second set with a screaming version of "Night in Tunisia." Eric's playing was right on the edge, huge, insistent, and undeniably passionate. Joe hit it with his ravenous appetite and then all three of them dug into the music and took off flying.

Eric moved into "The Man With The Horn," graceful, lilting, click here to listen.

John Webber played a solo that was stunning in it's complexity. Jazz moves in oblique and unexpected patterns beyond my conscious control. It dives past all my logical reasoning and I have no choice but to let it happen. When I watch John play I feel his composure and pure concentration while his fingers race across the strings responding to the impulses of that particular time and place. He embodies the contradiction of control and risk, and it is endlessly fascinating to experience.

The guys killed it at the end of the night with a bluesy, sexy "Parker's Mood." The crowd was loving the swing and hard drive. It was a great night of music and I am thrilled to say we will back at An Beal Bocht Cafe on Wednesday, September 7th.

Grant Stewart Quartet at Smalls

I sat on a bar stool in Smalls Sunday night waiting for the music to start, watching the crowd come in ... one guy sat against the wall opposite me behind the piano and closed his eyes and danced in his seat during the entire set. A young woman sat behind the piano player, David Hazeltine, and shook his hand glowing when he said hello to her. Another young woman was taking notes. I get off on the sense of community, everyone in that room there for the live experience, which demands your presence and gives you so much if you can open to it.

Grant Stewart started out the first set with "Theme for Ernie" and I waited for the music to take me, to throw me, to land me somewhere else (looking for an escape maybe, huh?), but it didn't. It held me right there in that room with those guys -- Grant was joined by Hazeltine on piano, Joel Forbes on bass, and Quincy Davis on drums -- and then I remembered that was the point.

His next tune was a seductive, dazzling ballad, "Maybe September," each note longing, lingering, promising something. Grant is an elegant, powerhouse of a player. His spontaneity, wit, and charm came through in his music, and when he spoke to us about his song choices for the night.

I have heard David Hazeltine play many times and I am always completely hooked by his effortless playing -- cool, assured, and balanced.

Later in the set they did a knock out version of "Paradox," and I was enchanted, harpooned by "Shadow of Your Smile." Check out Grant's new album "Around The Corner" here.

Coming Up . . .

My next gig will be Wednesday, June 22nd at An Beal Bocht Cafe, 445 West 238th Street, in the Bronx, 8:00 p.m., two sets, $15.00 cover. For reservations, tickets, or information email LindasJazzNights@gmail.com.

The night will feature world-renowned jazz musicians Eric Alexander on sax, Joe Farnsworth on drums, and John Webber on bass.

About Eric --
During the 1990's after placing second behind Joshua Redmond in the Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, Alexander threw himself into the whirlwind life of a professional jazz musician. In the last twenty years he has amassed a considerable discography of critically-acclaimed recordings. He has appeared on countless recordings as leader, sideman, producer, and composer. His latest, "Don't Follow the Crowd" has received a tremendous response including a rave review from All About Jazz. Eric continues to tour the world over and play with numerous jazz legends. He is considered one of the greatest saxophone players of his generation. I am thrilled to have him.

I hope you will join us and spread the word.

Eric Alexander at the Artists Quarter in St. Paul over Memorial Day

CLICK HERE for video of his latest gig.

John Farnsworth Quintet

At Smoke last night they closed the third set with a reckless "Night in Tunisia." I loved it. Joe Farnsworth on drums hit it hard at the top, Andrew Beals on alto sax and John Farnsworth on tenor sax jumped on it, and I fell right into the music, right into the center of things, unable/unwilling to resist -- swept along careening down the side of the mountain. Dwayne Burno was on bass and Mike LeDonne on piano. The whole set had a loose, free flying feeling. Mike, Dwayne, and Joe played a wistful, gorgeous "For All We Know." Mike's skills are renowned and he never ceases to catch my ear, my interest, and sometimes he lets me into his undiscovered country. He reminds me of a great singer who hits the top of their voice and holds you there, tempting you, letting you know there is more, but you aren't going to get it - not this time. John's sax on Wes Montgomery's "So Do It" was swinging and full of John's wit and tenacity. Andrew's sax was subtle and scorching. And Dwayne, a soft-spoken, brilliant guy inhabits that bass. Click here to read an insightful, candid interview with Dwayne about his life and music. I will be at Smalls Sunday, June 12th, to see Grant Stewart. And don't forget my gig coming up on June 22nd in the Bronx. Go to my Facebook page for more info.