Chicks Weekend!

Not what you think...  Senora Music Man and I hit shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  I need to take today off to rest.

Friday night at Tony Starlight's was big band night; music by the Bureau of Standards Big Band.  We have been wanting to catch this monthly show every since Kat Cogswell (Signatures) joined the band as vocalist.  She shares vocal duties with Matthew Gailey, a very capable and engaging young singer (we heard him before at Ivories).   The first hour of the show was an enjoyable throwback to the nightclubs of the 50's; I looked around and expected to see Bogie and Bacall make an entrance.
The Band was sharp and the vocals did not disappoint (Kat never disappoints - always brings the "A" game).  One message to Mr. Gregg, "Hey, you have two fine vocalists, keep 'em on stage."  The last 30 minutes of birthday/anniversary/etcetera announcements and comedic banter really took away from an otherwise enjoyable evening of music.

Saturday was a last minute decision to catch the Bobby Torres band at Jimmy Maks.  Another of our favorites, Karla Harris, was back in town for the weekend and singing with this excellent Latin band.
We had never heard them before but will do so again; high energy, excellent musicianship, and an interesting playbook.  Basically, Bobby takes familiar tunes of all genres and presents them with a Latin flavor - fun!  And Miss Karla got it done (like she always does!) - she may be the most versatile singer I have ever heard.

Sunday was an event we had looked forward to for months - Esperanza Spalding, Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington ("ACS") at the Newmark.  Esperanza had just won her 2nd and 3rd Grammys and came home with her latest musical project.  Loved the show!  When Esperanza gives a concert you can count on at least 2 things: first, she gives an honest, energetic, and thorough effort (a fast 2 hour set), and second, the show will be totally unlike her previous offering.  She seems to have attended the Miles Davis school of abandoning past successes in favor of a perpetual pursuit of new sounds and formats.  I have seen her 4 times, all thoroughly enjoyable and each completely different.  I was not familiar with Geri Allen (piano) or Terry Line Carrington (drums) but both were excellent musicians.   The sound reminded me of a concert Patti and I heard in SF from the the Stanley Clarke trio (Hiromi, Lenny White).

Whew!  Tired and broke.  Later!