JAZZ BLOGG DAY 6

Both shows I went to last night were so goddamn riveting that they’re all I saw.

Maiden voyages, premieres, debuts, first times… there’s a whole list spinning in my memory. I cherish the who, what, why, where, and when the cherry broke in many situations; the lowdown surrounding the first time getting to second base, first concert, where I was when Elvis died are all carved in my brain permanently. Just like last night, when I got to hear Dave Brubeck play “Take Five.” I’ll never forget it.

Brubeck and his trio played for nearly two hours. The band was so seasoned that when the master threw curve balls --- songs that weren’t on the set list --- they blended flawlessly with those that did. Tenor saxophonist Bobby Miletello played his head off even when he brought it waaaaaaaaaaay down with a flute on a gorgeous duet of “Over The Rainbow” with Brubeck. Funny, he’s the second artist this year on this stage to do that number. The Killer honked and tonked on it with equal heartache and style, but the near 90 Brubeck totally outplayed him.

Plus I couldn’t help but notice that Brubeck got to luxuriate on a gorgeous grand Steinway. Lewis was parked behind a Yamaha (from an ESM classroom, no doubt). I guess the promoters heard that story of the night Jerry Lee Lewis upstaged Chuck Berry by setting the piano on fire. If only we had been that lucky…

Bettye Lavette is so fine. I got to see her second show, where she wailed and roared with a smoky tone from a hot fire below. She pulled out cuts from her new “I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise,” including ones penned by Lucinda Williams and Dolly Parton. Lavette is somewhat underground, which I imagine is rather tough on one’s career, but it has left her alone, untarnished, and unscarred. Or rather it has left her alone, allowing the tarnish and scars to pour out in a soulful torrent like you’ve never heard. Yeah, I like that description better. God she was great.