The "Van Gordon Singers"

Senor Music Man does not usually do private gigs.  I did this one because the feature performers included my very favorite singer, Miss Meredith Weber.  This holiday party is an annual event hosted by Diana and Steve ("Dr. Steve") Gordon.  Not only did we get to sing; we also got to play; I was on the broken tamborine (Joe Mueller broke it!).

Food and music were excellent!  Patti made me behave so we would be invited back.

Rick, Dr. Steve and the Great One

My Favorite Singer - "All I Want for Christmas is You"

Christmas with Tony Starlight

Another holiday tradition is to take the office staff to Tony Starlight's Supperclub and Lounge for Tony's Christmas show.  Tony's show is just plain holiday fun!  Friday night's show was sold out and everyone in the house was having a good time.  Tony was supported by the Tony Starlight band and particularly by the always entertaining and engaging Barbara ("Signatures") Ayars.  Barbara carried a big piece of the show and was, as always, in fine voice.  What I have not noticed in past shows was her considerable comedic talent, not only as a straight "man" for Tony, but getting her own share of the audience laughter.

We sat in the lower lounge this year.  This is the first time I have sat in that area; usually Patti scores seats right in front of the stage so our attention is always focused on the act on stage.  From our vantage we were able to see how effectively Tony and Barb involve the audience in the show.

Tony and his group will be performing several more Christmas shows, including a Dean Martin inspired production, during the holiday season.  Okay, I'll say it - check it out!!!!!!

Tony and Barb leading the way!




Amazing Tunes update

The following are tunes regularly performed by our local talent that should not be missed.  Let's all get out to the clubs that hire our gifted local musicians and performers.  This list is hereby dubbed, "Amazing Tunes".  If you have a proposed contribution to this list, let me know.

"Mother, Mother", Renato Caranto, Mel Brown B3 Quartet (Thursdays at Jimmy Mak's)
"When I Was Seventeen", Johnny Martin
"Pete Kelly's Blues", Art Abrams Swing Machine
"Operator", Signatures
John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme",  Devin Phillips
Anything by Meredith Weber

Blue Monk - AJAM

I'll start off by saying that I do not like Ornette Coleman - too strange for my layman's palette.  Saw him do some sort of 3 bass ensemble at Monterey several years ago.  It was the musical equivalent of my reading a Chinese newspaper.

SO upon arriving for my first visit to the Blue Monk; I was greeted with, "we are about to present a set of Ornette Coleman tunes".  Great...  Not only that, I was hungry and was presented with a menu of mostly Italian dishes.  Remember that I'm from North Jersey, that makes me an Italian food snob.  The planets were clearly out of alignment; Ornette Coleman and Portland Italian bar food - sigh!

Well, my fears were unfounded.  The Alan Jones Academy of Music (AJAM) students kicked more than a little tail with their Ornette Coleman tunes.  They call themselves "Johnsemble" as three of the members are named John (bass, trombone, drums) and joined by Nicole on tenor and Adam on guitar (who played some very mean stuff!).  I may have to give Ornette a try again, I really enjoyed what was presented on stage, particularly the tune "When will the Blues End?".  (The answer - never!)

I also enjoyed the baked Ziti I had for dinner; not bad even by North Jersey standards.

The only thing I did not enjoy was the noisy trio of dimwits sitting next to me; I swear they were louder than a drum solo.  Why the hell would you go to a music place to talk?  Don't get it!  By the way, this was JSO members night, right?  Where were you?  Ok; rant concluded.

The Blue Monk Thursday jam - check it out!

Sorry about the dark photos; Patti was not there to help me!

Jammin' with Ron Steen at Clydes

It has become a family tradition to go to Clyde's Prime Rib the first Sunday after my birthday.  It is one of my favorite gigs and the excellent prime rib served by Clyde Jenkins and his staff is a welcome break from the Thanksgiving fare.  Oh yeah, and every Sunday, folks in the lounge are treated to some of the hottest jazz in the city. Really!
Ron Steen hosts a jam in the lounge every Sunday at 8:30.  What a jam it is!!!  Ron is always supported by excellence on the bass and piano; last Sunday it was Phil Baker (recent inductee to The Jazz Society of Oregon Hall of Fame) and George Mitchell - excellence indeed!

George Mitchell, Phil Baker, and Dick Berk

Unfortunately, Ron had a gig and was late to the show.  Fortunately, Dick Berk sat in on the drum kit for the first hour.  YES and can I get an "Amen"?  Dick has played with such luminaries as Charles Mingus, Milt Jackson, and Freddie Hubbard.  And he still plays his ass off!  I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Dick Berk - 72 years old and going strong!

Ron then took his place on the kit and brought in Maryann Nicholas, Bill Harris, Cheryl Alex, and Rick Green.

Ron Steen - the man that makes it happen! 

Bill Harris

Cheryl Alex

Maryann Nicholas - "You'd be so nice to come home to"

Rick Green

The lounge at Clydes is a very intimate setting for this type of jam; you sit right on the floor with the musicians.  The amplification is soft and even though close to the performers, the sound surrounds but does not overwhelm.
Getting cabin fever after a day of Sunday football?  Head to Clyde's for some of the best prime rib and jazz in our city!!!
Next, on to the Blue Monk on Thursday for the Alan Jones jam - see you there!