Willis Fest

So last month Willis, also known as the World's Greatest Guitar Player (he is pretty damn good!), tells me he has a gig with Buck's Vibe at Steamer's in Fullerton, CA.  Steamer's is a noted jazz club in SoCal (Orange County) and I enjoy going there (the lasagna is delicious).  Embracing the wonders of retirement, I decide to spend a week in SoCal, since one place is about the same as another these days.  A good idea, as it turns out, as Willis also had a gig at the Windjammer's Yacht Club in Marina del Rey on Sunday, and a cover band gig with Chain Reaction at the Kobe Steakhouse in Seal Beach.  Wow!  Willis playing in three different contexts in one week.  What an opportunity for me.

So after flying in, I drove up to Kobe's for dinner in the lounge with Chain Reaction blasting out the R&B and pop hits for a rather strange but enthusiastic crowd.  Bands like this are a great way for a guitar player to keep up his chops, especially on a Michael Jackson favorite.  (Sorry for the recording quality, I had some limitations).

On Sunday, it was the L.A. freeway challenge...  a long drive up to Marina del Rey.  Only a couple slowdowns... and soon I was firmly seated in the club lounge.  Willis plays this gig in a quartet with a couple Buck's Vibe mates and the Israeli trumpeter, Itai.

Pretty much straight ahead jazz with some funk, all quite well done, with an enthusiastic audience (love to see those $5s, $10s, and $20s go into the tip jar). This was a great gig, actually, and my friend Christiane even dropped by foregoing another day at the Playboy Jazz Festival to hear this group. Also it was Father's Day, so the music was a special treat for me. They did a fine version of one of my favorite tunes.

The following Thursday was the Steamer's gig with Buck's Vibe. If you haven't heard the CD, you should get it or download it. Terrific music. The group did not disappoint this night. Peter Buck's kids were there as well, adding some vocals to the set. Willis contributed some great guitar work to a Buck's Vibe standard, Steppin' Up.

And I'm sure Willis appreciated having both parents at one of his gigs.

So a fine week of music.  Retirement sure makes for interesting opportunities, and the ability to enjoy the efforts of progeny.

Geezer Fest

On the heels of the Arts Fest, a group of old friends gathered up East Canyon to escape the heat and consume large quantities of attitude adjustment potions.  However, since this was the weekend preceding the 4th of July holiday, we found the highways seriously clogged, mostly by jackknifed trucks.

Soon the local authorities arrived to clear up matters, and inspire impure thoughts.

Soon we arrived at the ranch and set ourselves up for some serious partying.  For some, this was an easy task.

Others had a harder time getting it up.

And some were quite classy campers indeed (check the Nascar theme).

Camp fashion varied depending on time of day and nightime consumption.

While some of us sucked on beers, crazed youth found other adventures.

Soon a multitude of musicians gathered and the serious partying began.  Esther offered a musical benediction.

The musicians had quite a repertoire, and there were fun jam sessions with curious percussion instruments.

But this was just an afternoon prelude to the big disco party that night.

Sunday was a Bloody Mary Morning...  the bar was open early.

Some soon became Sunday slackers (a few too many beers leads to bottoming out!).

Others could not overcome their OCD, even on a Sunday.

Sunday would not be complete without some good gospel music.

And, finally, a wonderful reminder of Independence Day.

Arts Fest

A highlight of the summer is the Utah Arts Festival.  There's always great music, and, although the "art" has gotten wearisome, I still wander the booths hoping to catch something new and unusual, something I can't live without.  But, still, for me it's the music.

Rod and I made an initial visit late Friday afternoon.  The Park Stage was raked in hot sun, but finding a bit of shade, we enjoyed the R&B and Ska stylings of Shaky Trade.  Surprised me a bit, really an accomplished and very fun group, I'll look for them again if they play around town.

Then is was off to check the art, get a bite (the presence of Lucky 13 was a big improvement in food booths), and happen on a performance by Hamilton, Flinner, & Dow.  These guys have a great rep as players, but their presentation, quite frankly, sucked.  They seemed ill prepared and took way too much time between songs.  Bored, we headed back to the Park Stage.

When we got there, Gross National Product was roaring away, creating great musical excitement.  These guys have been around for quite some time, but they've updated their act and are amazingly intense for a bunch of old farts.  No one is doing anything this exciting around town, none of the rock groups, and certainly not the hip hop groups.   Some pics:

Kevin Johanson is known for his mainstream jazz guitar work, but he was really ripping off the riffs during this set.

Dale Lee has always been my favorite sax player in this town, and he didn't disappoint on these tunes (here's an example).

OK, so I didn't hear all the music at the Arts Fest (only a small fraction), but I still give GNP Best of Show.

Into the evening, we casually experienced several more performance events.  What I discovered was that anything with samples, scratches, or DJs basically sucked.  Really.  I rather listen to Leslie Gore.  Also, there was a disturbing, but not completely negative, in fact kinda intriguing, trend in belly dancing.  We saw two groups, both using modern techno/electronica for background.  It attracted my attention, but I soon decided I preferred traditional music for belly dancers.

We also spent some time at the Big Mouth tent enjoying the poetry slam.  Believe it or not, I'd never been to a slam event before.  The constraints on the contestants made the performances exciting.  Poetry for me dies on the printed page, I enjoy it more when it is read by someone who can make it come alive.  At the slam, we also saw one of Miles Davis' bandmates and her friend:

Later that evening we checked out the Salt Lake Jazz Orchestra.  Quite frankly, the arrangements were rather boring.  Too bad, because there are a number of great players in that group.  And I know Jerry Floor can produce a better clarinet solo than what he did that night.  And who was the singer?  How embarrassing...  can't he dress better that cutoffs and a t-shirt?  Even on a hot night at an arts fest, is this any way to front a first class jazz orchestra? (so bad I didn't even take a pic)

But the set was somewhat redeemed by the commission composed by Henry Wolking.  The piece was contemporary and involving, although I think the band needed a few more rehearsals.  Here's a limited recording of the piece, followed by pics of Henry and the orchestra.

On Saturday, it was back to the Big Mouth tent to hear Harold Carr perform his poetry in a jazz context, with John Flanders on bass clarinet.

This turned out to be quite special, since Harold conveys his poetry very well, and, of course, the playing was excellent.  Wow...  bass clarinet!  The whole performance, what a treat!  Here's one poem.

The performance was also captured on iPhone video.

Then it was off to Junior's for Saturday afternoon drinking...  Hell with the heat and the crowds!  I know there was so much more...  many groups I would have enjoyed...  but after a week in California (see next post), I needed some down time to catch up.