"and I shouted 'OLE!'"
"Hey, they just announced "No flash photography," and there you go...
sitting there smug in your fancy 2nd-row seat."
The lady next to me touched my arm and said "Tsk. Tsk."
My buddy just rolled his eyes. Again.
Well, if she didn't say that she sure wanted me to know that popping a flash in the first 10 seconds of a show is rude.
Fortunately, I knew
HOW to turn off the automatic flash.
I just forgot to do that. Oh, crap!
I didn't see the drummer Dafnis Prieto squinting at his sheet music so I didn't really interrupt the start of the Spoleto concert by the
Chucho Valdes Jazz Bata at the Gaillard Music Center.
I did sort of slouch down lower in my comfortable seat as I pressed hard on the OFF button for my flash.
Multiple Grammy-winner Leader Chucho Valdes did not pause and glare or even look at me. He sat at his piano and started playing and the music and fun began.
What a tight Afro-Cuban quartet.
It was nice to revisit my jazz roots: roving solos followed by appreciative applause and on to the next player in a delightful "round robin" of fast-paced music, thumping with percussion, drums, piano and upright bass.
My ear picks up a quick familiar riff from "Take The A Train," or some Dave Brubeck classics. Nice.
Yeah, this is international Afro-Cuban jazz.
I could imagine a broad smile on the face of the late
Jack McCray, tapping his foot.
He was a leader in recognizing the jazz history and talent here in Charleston. He helped make a night like this possible when he founded the JAC and it continues to bear fruit.
But, my intent right now is trying to catch a face photo of percussionist Yaroldy Abreu Robles. It isn't easy
Not just his blurred hands as he pounds from one of his congas to another rapidly or picks up a variety of small devices that tings or he shakes and rattles.
I want to catch his intensity, seen with his tight smile and bulging eyes. But mainly I am capturing shots of twin mics framing his face. BUT...no flash thank goodness.
The other downside of sitting very close to the stage is not having a wide enough lens to capture the whole scene of the four musicians.
This came close and I am glad to see the active bassist Yelsy Heredia is featured.
He was a whirling dervish (what would that be in Cuban?) in almost constant motion that only slowed during brief delicate use of his bow.
The group got to pose and take their "bow" twice.
First when they finished and, again after they came back onstage to satisfy the pleased applauding, standing ovation by the rapt capacity audience.
Even though the show was technically over, I kept the flash turned off.
Didn't want to be an ass more than once.
(Click on the photos and links for more details and information.)
I try to include
some samples of the music I hear and at shows like this, it's always announced "No audio recording of any kind."
Labels: A tight Afro-Cuban quartet, bassist Yelsy Hredia, Chucho Valdes Jazz Bata, Dafnis Prieto, Dave Brubeck, Jack McCray, Uno mas, Yaroldy Abreu Robles on percussion
"Jazz" McCray died yesterday...
"Charleston - NOT New Orleans - is really where American Jazz began." My friend Jack McCray said that a lot back when we both worked at The Post and Courier.
Jack was a writer and music expert that I was never able to surprise with any of my offbeat questions about jazz. I would even look up little known facts to tease him with but he always was a step ahead of me.
He died Wednesday after being
MR. JAZZ in this city for as long as I can remember.
He wrote a book about the Charleston music roots.
I bought it.
He signed it for me.
I'm glad he left me a memento of a nice guy.
A few years ago, I did a
salute to Mr. Jazz on my blog. That was a fun day.
I heard a LOT of good jazz upstairs at Mistral's on Market Street. And at McCrady's.
Yes, Jack was the driving force behind those Piccolo Spoleto Jazz Fests.
He used to share stories about noted music places like the old Chef & Clef, also on Market Street.
I was born here but left when I was a teenager to join the Marines.
When I came back in 1993, I appreciated the city a lot more.
After I started at the paper and got to know him, Jack would tell me what I had missed.
Now, I'll miss him.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy Marine Corps birthday. It's our 236th.
Labels: 236th Marine Corps Birthday, Chef and Clef, Jack McCray, McCrady's Restaurant, Mistral's, Mr. Jazz
From The Bayou to Bohemia...
"
You people in Charleston make me feel like I'm playing at home," exclaimed
Tab Benoit at the Pour House Wednesday night.
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he's a singer and guitar master of swamp, soul and Chicago blues that reflects his Cajun roots.
He "thanked" a very hoarse couple in front who had shouted along with him all night and told "Tequila Man" he would be remembered. Vaguely.
Then he asked how many people had a trailer hitch on their cars?
He said he wanted to be on a boat next time he came to town
"..to get out on the water and I get to drive it - FAST," he added.
"We know how to do that down in Louisiana."
There was not really a
Scandal In Bohemia. That is the name of the 5-piece jazz group that played upstairs at Mistral on Thursday.
And play they did!
Take a fairly typical jazz makeup of drums and bass and add a flute, a soprano sax and have the leader squeezing an accordion. This produces a very nice mix and sound.
Nathan Koci, accordion, was the spokesman.
He said he was pleased with the progress of the new JAC (
Jazz Artists of Charleston) and the recognition the city was gaining as a showcase of musical talent.
Nathan led the band through an hour and a half of French, Hungarian and American music.
And all that jazz.
Labels: (Ben-WAH), accordion, Bayou, Bohemia, Cajun swamp music, JAC, Jack McCray, Tab Benoit, Tad Benoit
A Day With Mr. Jazz - Jack McCray
The talented stars of the
Holy City Homecomin’ Tuesday night at The Footlight Players Theatre Tuesday evening were
Gradual Lean and Clay Ross’ Matuto.They played great and the packed room really felt the magic.
But the behind-the-scenes driving force was Jack McCray.
It was his evening, his day, his week and his 30th year of being Mr. Jazz in Charleston.
This year he led the creation of the
JAC - Jazz Artists of Charleston. This is his third successful gathering of talent and businesses to make things happen.
I’ve known Jack for years as the hip music writer at The Post and Courier and editor of neighborhood editions of the paper. Jack is my go-to man when I have questions about music: the Blues, Jazz, you name it. The man knows his stuff.
My Day With McCray started in Philadelphia Alley, next to the Footlight Theatre on Queen Street, when we participated in the afternoon interactive rhythmic workshop presented by Clay Ross and members of his group. It was a moving experience. No, I mean it, we REALLY moved around.
Then we climbed the stairs and met in a room over the Theatre and Jack regaled us with a vivid recap of his 30-year musical odyssey in Charleston jazz awareness and growth.
He is a great storyteller and took questions from the rapt audience.
After a break for a bite to eat, I was back for the 7:30 performance of
The Homecomin’. Naturally, Jack McCray was the Master of Ceremonies.
A beautiful day in our seaside city with a man who continues to turn his vision into reality.
I'm pleased to be a SPO-Jo
Citizen Journalist during this 17-day Spoleto Piccolo Festival of the Arts. My badge lets me look a little deeper into events and I try to share what I find. Check ALL the Festival coverage at
www.spoletotoday.com.(Thanks to Gradual Lean: Lee Barbour, Kebbie Williams, Etienne Charles, Kevin Hamilton, Quentin Baxter and Clay Ross and his group Matuto: Itai Kriss, Rob Hecht, Tim Keiper, Edward Perez.)
Click on the photos for more detail.
Labels: Clay Ross, Footlight Players Theatre, Gradual Lean, Jack McCray, Matuto, Mr. Jazz
"Hey, they just announced "No flash photography," and there you go...
