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.

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.

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.

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.

Watermelon Man

One of my new favorite jazz standards is "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock. I had not heard it before. It's got a soulful groove and the guys , John Webber on bass, Joe Magnarelli on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano and Steve Williams on drums, made it pop. It was "all up in my body" to quote Miles Davis. John Webber lead the band and as always was the sturdy backbone with swing. They also played a version of "Summertime," which was, forgive me, steamy. Joe's trumpet was commanding, but easy and sweet too. Rick Germanson, who has played many times at Ibiza, is an open, thoughtful man with a charming wit and that is reflected in his luminous playing. It was the first time at Ibiza for Steve Williams who was cookin' on the drums. Tony Hewitt stopped by and treated us to his expressive, liquid voice on "Alone Together" and "Skylark." And the acclaimed jazz pianist Tardo Hammer sat in on "Shining Hour" and "I've Never Been In Love Before." They closed out the night with a provocative, alluring rendition of "Soul Eyes." I've said it before in this blog and I'll say it again ... we are so lucky to have these world-class musicians coming up every week to play in this spacious, beautiful club. John Webber will be back leading the band this week, October 14th, once again making it swing.

Cool Jazz to End the Summer

The club was full this last Thursday as John Farnsworth lead the band. When the music started I was pulled to the stage by the intensity, the sharpness, the burst of melody, rhythm, and sound in the air. John is such a seasoned, smooth, and powerful player he takes care of his audience and brings us along on his ride. He opened with his own compositions, "Street Beat" and "The Princess of the Mountain." John Webber on bass played his composition "Mantillom." Jason Brown effortlessly backed the band on drums. And Carlton Holmes was dazzling on the piano. His solo during "Solar" knocked me out. Jazz Nights at Ibiza Lounge is a chance to feel the music, the night, your soul, and the passion of committed, fearless artists. John will be back next week with a new band and more extraordinary music.