Jazzin’ In July!

The Century Room in the downtown Hotel Congress was again the venue for a terrific Sunday Gospel set! A lazy afternoon saw the Gospel According to Grown Folks take the stage with a guest vocalist, Alex Brady. Jermaine Lockhart (sax) came down from Phoenix for the event with Chris Pena (p/organ), TroyCov (dr), Joshua Sailor (bs/gtr) and Lexa Raquel (v) leading the three member back-up choir. The whole venue was filled with family and friends with some sing-a-long tunes to get the spirit moving!

It was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and revel in the delight of a group of musicians enjoying their special talents. Lots of smiles and shout-outs to audience members made the whole afternoon a “family” affair.

Mid-month we had a happy hour with some friends at a local bar/restaurant to see Sheryl Ann Mckinley (v) with her quartet: multi-instrumentalist Max Goldschmid on keyboard with Jack Wood (bs gtr) and Kenji Lancaster (dr). Sheryl Ann has about six or seven evening gigs each month and they are all over the city. This venue is mid-town, just north of the University and very convenient. Typically happy hours around town offer small bites, shared plates and fantastic desserts to accompany mixed drinks and specialty cocktails.

Sheryl Ann is a very gifted singer and we always enjoy her renditions of the classic standard tunes. She has a way of interpreting the songs in her own personal style and it is a pleasure to witness her intriguing perspective on numbers one has heard dozens of times in the past but are now “new” again.

Another local music venue is the Gaslight Music Hall which offers a variety of styles every day of the week. It’s “sister” venue is the Gaslight Theatre on the other end of town with lots of melodrama, comedy sketches and other offerings for all ages. Both venues employ some of the same talented theater artists and the productions are always professional and entertaining.

Rob Wright (bj/gtr) with the Wildcat Jazz Band had a set titled “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” with emphasis on the classic cowboy tunes of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Think Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Johnny Cash and others of that fabulous era. With vocalists Ashley Westcott and Chelsee Hicks, the trio brought us back to that bygone era. Ashley did some superb yodeling and did a great rendition of Leroy Van Dyke’s “Auctioneer’s Song” with all the words that could possibly be uttered in any one moment. Chelsee’s interpretations of Patsy Cline’s iconic numbers were a tribute to the grand dame of country…but better!

With Alvin Blaine (steel gtr), Fred Hays (dr), and fellow Wildcat members, Marco Rosano (bs gtr) and Rob Boone (p/tb), the “cowboy” theme was set, complete with boots, hats and bandannas! Although not usually a part of any classic country western tune, Rob Boone managed to end the last song with a trombone riff for the grand finale.

The month ended back at the Century Room with a farewell event for local reed player, Kevin Ravellette. Kevin is moving to Texas to obtain his masters degree having just graduated from the University of Arizona this past May. Kevin led the band and the first set was complete with lots of family members and fans that have enjoyed his playing for the past three and a half years at the Century Room. The second set had many classmates and friends in the audience. As a sideman, Kevin usually never said too much during any prior sets, but this was his time to shine and he took total command of the band and audience, too! Besides many standards, Kevin introduced us to his own compositions as an already accomplished performer. With Arthur Vint (dr), Anthony Gibes (tp), Jack O’Brien (bs) Eric Nakanishi (sax), Denali Kaufman (p), Kenji Lancaster (dr) and Ed Friedland (bs), Kevin truly enjoyed being the “leader of the band.” His local mentor, Brice Winston (sax) sat in on a few numbers and was visibly proud of this young man.

So even when we are experiencing long bouts of 105+ degrees, the music venues are “cool” and create their own “hot” jazz moments and I am glad it is an active part of my summer!!