Lisa Hilton at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall: 2016 edition January 18, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Baseball, Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Sports, Travel, Weather.add a comment
Previous Lisa Hilton recaps: June 2011, January 2014, January 2015
Later recaps: January 2018, January 2019
The second show I’ve attended in 2016 – the first was the Jeff Lorber Fusion, ten nights earlier – continued an annual tradition: Lisa Hilton at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Yesterday’s performance marked her third year in Weill and I’ve been in the audience every time.
Like last year, I got a ride to the Wantagh LIRR station at around noon. Once there, I bought a round trip off peak ticket and waited for the 12:18 train to Penn Station. The ride wasn’t as quiet as last year in either direction, but I didn’t mind.
When I got to Penn, I took the 1 train to 59th Street-Columbus Circle. I walked two blocks south and one block east to get to Carnegie Hall, taking pictures along the way:
It was a 2:00 show:
My seat was front row center again. I had the row all to myself. You’d think people would buy front row seats if they’re available, but not in this case.
I grabbed a few shots of the stage, and ceiling, before showtime:
Lisa Hilton and the band were fashionably late, starting at 2:03. Lisa played piano with Ben Williams on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. Except where noted by an asterisk*, J.D. Allen and Ingrid Jensen rounded out the band on tenor saxophone and trumpet, respectively.
1/27 UPDATE: Here’s a shot from further back in the audience during the show:
I’m to Ingrid’s left (screen right).
All but the last two songs in the set were from Lisa’s new album, Nocturnal, which comes out this Friday. Copies were on sale in the lobby and I bought one before entering the hall. Here is the set list:
1. Nocturnal (also on Horizons, 2015)
2. A Spark in the Night
3. Whirlwind
4. Seduction (also on Seduction, 1997; Cocktails at Eight, 2000; My Favorite Things, 2005; and The New York Sessions, 2007)
5. Willow Weep for Me (written by Ann Ronell)
Midnight Sonata:
6. Part I: Symphony of Blues
7. Part II: Desire (also on In the Mood for Jazz, 2003)
8. Part III: Midnight Stars
9. Twilight
10. An August Remembered (rewritten from “August 1999,” which was composed for Cocktails at Eight in 2000)
11. The Sky and the Ocean (from Horizons, 2015)
12. Stepping Into Paradise (from Getaway, 2013)
“A Spark in the Night” and “Midnight Stars” had a Latin feel to them. “Midnight Stars,” in particular, sounded like a bullfighter song at one point. “Nocturnal,” “Seduction,” and “Twilight” sounded as good as they did last year. “Whirlwind” was a whirlwind. I loved it. I remember August 1999: Tony Gwynn and Wade Boggs achieved the 3,000th hits of their eventual Hall of Fame careers, I had two weeks of diagnostic vocational evaluation at Abilities, Inc., in Albertson, and I spent an afternoon at Splish Splash water park in Riverhead. I thought of all that as I listened to “An August Remembered.” Unlike on the Nocturnal album version, which was a solo performance, the band accompanied Lisa.
I caught up with Lisa after the show and we posed for this picture:
I was caught off guard when I looked out the window and saw snow falling. And it was accumulating. But the end result was merely a coating. As I type, there may be more significant snowfall at the end of the week.
“See you next year,” I said to Lisa after we said our goodbyes. Year 3 at Carnegie Hall was a success. Thanks to Lisa, Ben, Rudy, J.D., and Ingrid.
The Jeff Lorber Fusion at Birdland January 11, 2016
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.1 comment so far
My first show of 2016 was the Jeff Lorber Fusion at Birdland Jazz Club. I had last seen Jeff at the Blue Note in June 2014. This was my first time back at Birdland since I saw Yellowjackets on November 17, 2006, my 25th birthday. Coincidentally, Yellowjackets were also celebrating 25 years at the time. I plan on seeing them at Birdland this April.
The Jeff Lorber Fusion were in the middle of a five-night engagement at Birdland when my girlfriend and I went to see them on Thursday night.
Jeff Lorber was on keyboard:
…piano…:
…and both simultaneously:
Jimmy Haslip played bass:
Andy Snitzer was on tenor saxophone:
…but played soprano saxophone on “Chinese Medicinal Herbs” and “Up On This”:
Lionel Cordew rounded out the band on drums:
Each night had shows at 8:30 and 11:00. Here is the set list for Thursday’s 8:30 show:
1. Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Originally heard on: “The Jeff Lorber Fusion,” 1977; “Now is the Time,” 2010
2. He Had a Hat
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007
3. Get Up
Originally heard on: “Step It Up,” 2015
4. Hacienda
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013
5. Rain Dance
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979; “Now is the Time,” 2010
6. Montserrat
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012
7. Up On This
Originally heard on: “Step It Up,” 2015
8. Anthem for a New America/Tune 88
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007/”Water Sign,” 1979; “Flipside,” 2005
Photographically, I figured out how to shoot great pictures in low light without raising the ISO too high. The trick was to shoot in shutter-priority mode rather than aperture-priority mode. Once I found a good shutter speed, 1/30 second, I was ready to go.
With that in mind, here are various shots of each band member, starting with Jeff Lorber:
Jimmy Haslip:
Andy Snitzer on tenor sax:
…and soprano sax:
Lionel Cordew’s “Get Up” drum solo:
A few wide shots:
The end of “Tune 88”:
After my girlfriend chatted with Andy and Jeff. Then, we headed for home. It was another great night of music for us. Thank you, Jeff, Jimmy, Andy, and Lionel.
Fourplay at the Blue Note December 3, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Christmas, Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.add a comment
I was at the Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village on Thursday night to see contemporary jazz group Fourplay perform. It was the third of six nights at the legendary venue, which they called their Blue & Silver Holiday Celebration. Each night had an 8:00 show and a 10:30 show. I was there for the 8:00 show.
I left my house in Wantagh at 4:00, walking about 20 minutes to the Wantagh LIRR station. From there, I boarded the 4:27 train bound for Penn Station.
Once at Penn, immediately walked to the Subway station and took the A train, as in the Duke Ellington song, downtown to West 4th Street. I ascended the stairs at West 3rd and walked a quarter block to Blue Note.
I arrived at 5:40, waiting outside until the doors opened at 6:00. I took this picture while I waited:
After I was let in and I checked my coat, I chose a table facing center stage and sat at the closest seat to the stage.
After dinner and dessert, it was time for Fourplay.
The band is made up of Bob James on piano and keyboard:
Nathan East on bass and vocals:
Chuck Loeb on guitars and background vocals:
It’s Chuck’s birthday today. Happy Birthday, Chuck.
And Harvey Mason on drums:
Unfortunately, I couldn’t see Harvey from my seat, but I did get this shot of him when he stood up as he and the band introduced each other:
Fourplay is celebrating 25 years as a band, the silver anniversary. That’s why their latest album is entitled “Silver.” A few songs from the album were incorporated into the set list, as you’ll see below:
1. Angels We Have Heard On High
Originally heard on: “Snowbound,” 1999
2. December Dream
Originally heard on: “Esprit de Four,” 2012
3. Max-O-Man
Originally heard on: “Fourplay,” 1991
4. Chant
Originally heard on: “Between the Sheets,” 1993
5. Quicksilver
Originally heard on: “Silver,” 2015
6. Horace
Originally heard on: “Silver,” 2015
7. Silverado
Originally heard on: “Silver,” 2015
8. Silver Streak
Originally heard on: “Silver,” 2015″
9. Bali Run
Originally heard on: “Fourplay,” 1991
10 (Encore). Between the Sheets (The Isley Brothers cover)
Originally heard on: “Between the Sheets,” 1993
The rest of this recap contains various shots of each band member. We start with Bob James:
Nathan East:
Chuck Loeb:
Harvey Mason:
Nate and Chuck:
Shots from the encore: “Between the Sheets”:
Nate thanked the audience:
And the last note was played:
I had a blast at this show. I was into every note of every song. Thank you to Bob James, Nathan East, Chuck Loeb, and Harvey Mason for a fantastic night of music. And thank you to Ken Freeman for his masterful mixing. The audio levels were just right – not too loud, not too soft – and each instrument was in tune.
Happy Silver Anniversary to all!
I’ll leave you with a few pictures I took at West 4th Street Station while waiting for an uptown A train back to Penn Station:
Downtown A train:
Matt Marshak at Houndstooth Pub: 2015 edition November 16, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.add a comment
Other Matt Marshak show recaps: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
I was at Houndstooth Pub on Saturday night to see guitarist Matt Marshak perform. It was the first time I’d seen him in two years.
Matt’s band was made up of himself on guitar:
Kenny Harris on bass:
Etienne Lytle on keyboards:
…and Matt’s brother Chris on drums:
SET LIST
SET 1
1. Kenny’s Groove*
2. Lifestyle
3. Summerfunk
4. A Silent Knowing
5. Wind Chill Factor
6. Feelin’ It
7. Put It Where You Want It (The Crusaders cover)
8. Cadillac Kid
9. Affirmation/Breezin’ (George Benson cover medley)
*-Matt didn’t join the band until the next song.
SET 2
10. Midtown
11. Funkology
12. Teddy P (audience request)
13. Sanibel
14. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton cover)
15. Sleepwalk (Santo & Johnny cover, notably covered by Larry Carlton)
16. Kiss (Prince and The Revolution cover)
17. Matt’s Blues
Various shots of Matt:
Kenny Harris’ “Feelin’ It” solo:
Etienne Lytle:
Chris Marshak’s “Feelin’ It” solo:
Wide shots:
“Kiss”/”Matt’s Blues”:
Another successful Matt Marshak show was in the books. I had a blast. Thanks to Matt, Kenny, Etienne, and Chris for making my night.
Chieli Minucci & Special EFX at The Cutting Room again July 2, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.2 comments
I returned to The Cutting Room last Friday night to see Chieli Minucci & Special EFX perform.
I last saw them at that venue in January 2014. I arrived close to show time and missed out on a good table. This time, I showed up before the doors opened to ensure better results. The plan worked. I sat at a small table right next to the stage.
Special EFX was led by co-founder Chieli Minucci on guitar:
With Jay Rowe on keyboards:
Jerry Brooks, who’s about to tour with Journey, on bass:
…and Lionel Cordew on drums:
Plus, special guest Alan Grubner on violin:
SET LIST
1. Courageous Cats
Originally heard on: “Jewels,” 1995 (Chieli solo album)
2. Speak to Me (preceded by Chieli’s intro)
Originally heard on: “Masterpiece,” 1999
3. Crazy Eights
Originally heard on: “Genesis,” 2013
4.Till the End of Time
Originally heard on: “Genesis,” 2013
5. George Can’t Dance
Originally heard on: “Catwalk,” 1994
6. Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers
Originally heard on: “Renaissance,” 1996 (Chieli solo album)
7. Cruise Control
Originally heard on: “Butterfly,” 2001
8. Your Smile, My Heaven
Originally heard on: “Genesis,” 2013
9. Kickin’ It Hard/Spain
“Kickin’ It Hard” originally heard on: “Night Grooves,” 2003 (Chieli solo album); “Spain” is a Return to Forever cover
#2 and 9 featured occasional vocalizing from Chieli.
#8 and 9 featured special guest Alan Grubner.
Various shots of Chieli:
Vocalizing on “Speak to Me”:
Jay Rowe’s “Speak to Me” keyboard solo:
Jerry Brooks’ “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” bass solo:
Lionel Cordew’s “Speak to Me” drum solo:
Alan Grubner’s “Your Smile, My Heaven” violin solo:
Wide shots from “Kickin’ It Hard”:
The last note:
The end:
It was yet another superb set. Until next time.
Will Donato at Houndstooth Pub May 11, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.2 comments
Houndstooth Pub was the place to be Saturday night as saxophonist Will Donato took the stage.
This was the first time I had seen Will since he performed with fellow saxophonist Elan Trotman a few years ago. Both times, a significant personal event occurred the same day. Then, it was the removal of a curbside tree at my neighbor’s house, one that had been there since I moved to Wantagh in July 1993. Saturday, it was the tenth anniversary of MikeChimeri.com.
I was thrilled to see Will. He’s a ball of energy, winding his way through the crowd, connecting with every audience member, including me. He even has a humorous side, which he displayed when speaking to the audience between songs.
Will was mostly on alto saxophone:
Bill Heller on keyboard:
Kenny Harris on bass:
…and Chris Marshak on drums:
SET LIST
1. Kenny’s Groove (Kenny Harris)
2. New Life
Originally heard on: “Will Power,” 2004
3. I’ll Be Around (The Spinners cover)
Originally heard on: “Will Call,” 2007
4. Italia
Originally heard on: “Will Power,” 2004; “What It Takes,” 2010
5. Funkability
Originally heard on: “What It Takes,” 2010
6. Show and Tell (Al Wilson cover)
Originally heard on: “Universal Groove,” 2014
7. Working Day and Night (Michael Jackson cover)
BREAK
8. Always You
Originally heard on: “What It Takes,” 2010
9. Jaywalkin’
Originally heard on: “Universal Groove,” 2014
10. You’ve Just Been Had (Kenny Harris)
11. Down & Loaded (Bill Heller)
Originally heard on: “Find the Way,” 2014 (Bill Heller)
12. What Is Hip? (Tower of Power cover)
13 (Encore). Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry cover)
Originally heard on: “Universal Groove,” 2014
Now that you know the set list, let’s move on to various pictures of Will in the audience and on stage:
He switched to tenor sax for “Down & Loaded”…:
…before returning to alto for the last two songs:
Now for pictures of the rest of the band, starting with Bill Heller:
Vocals on “Show and Tell”:
Vocoder on “Working Day and Night”:
…and “Play That Funky Music”:
Kenny Harris:
Vocals on “Kenny’s Groove”:
…and “You’ve Just Been Had”:
Chris Marshak:
Wide shots:
“New Life”:
“Down & Loaded”:
“What Is Hip?”:
“Play That Funky Music”:
What a wild show this turned out to be. I had a blast. I spoke to Will and the band during the break and after the show, and before I left, Will and I posed for a picture:
Thank you to Will, Bill, Kenny, and Chris for making this a night to remember.
SJFS 2015 Night 1 recap April 27, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel, Video.add a comment
To borrow guitarist Jay Dobbins’ song title, it was “That Time Again” on Friday – time for me to head up to Milford, Connecticut, for Jay Rowe‘s Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert. This was the 13th year of SJFS and the third with two nights of shows. Unfortunately, I could only make the first night this year because of the WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony on Saturday.
The headliners on Friday night were Peter White, Marion Meadows, and Vincent Ingala.
As always, Kevin McCabe had a few opening remarks:
Then, Jay Rowe took the stage. Jay was on keyboards:
Dave Anderson played bass:
Trever Somerville on drums:
Steve Scales on percussion:
…and for nine songs, Rohn Lawrence on electric guitar:
SET LIST
1. That Time Again (Jay Dobbins)
Originally heard on: “Anything for You,” 2013
Featured musicians: Jay Dobbins (electric guitar), Jay Rowe (keyboards)
2. Pleasure Island (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: “Laugh Out Loud,” 2001
Featured musicians: Jay Rowe (keyboards), Vincent Ingala (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
3. Can’t Stop Now (Vincent Ingala)
Originally heard on: “Can’t Stop Now,” 2012
Featured musicians: Vincent Ingala (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
4. Kimi Trick (Vincent Ingala)
Originally heard on: “Can’t Stop Now,” 2012
Featured musicians: Vincent Ingala (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
5. Real Time (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: “Soul Traveler,” 2015
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Vincent Ingala (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
6. Humanity (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: “Soul Traveler,” 2015
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
7. Caravan of Dreams (Peter White)
Originally heard on: “Caravan of Dreams,” 1996
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar), Vincent Ingala (tenor sax)
8. Bright (Peter White)
Originally heard on: “Good Day,” 2009
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar)
9. How Deep is Your Love (Peter White; The Bee Gees cover)
Originally heard on: “Reflections,” 1994
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar)
10. In Rainbows (Peter White)
Originally heard on: “Smile,” 2014
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar), Vincent Ingala (soprano sax)
11. Here We Go (Peter White)
Originally heard on: “Here We Go,” 2012
Featured musicians: Peter White (acoustic guitar), Vincent Ingala (tenor sax)
12. Wish I Was There (Vincent Ingala)
Originally heard on: “Can’t Stop Now,” 2012
Featured musicians: Vincent Ingala (electric guitar)
13. Coast to Coast (Vincent Ingala)
Originally heard on: “Coast to Coast,” 2015 (released five days later [tomorrow])
Featured musicians: Vincent Ingala (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
14. Suede (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: “Player’s Club,” 2004
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
Unlike previous performances, Marion did not start in the audience and work his way to the stage.
15. Treasures (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: “In Deep,” 2002
Featured musicians: Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Rohn Lawrence (electric guitar)
16 (Finale). I’ll Be Around (The Spinners cover)
Featured musicians: Everyone
Now for various pictures of each musician.
First, Jay Rowe:
Dave Anderson:
Trever Somerville:
Steve Scales:
Rohn Lawrence:
Making his SJFS debut, Jay Dobbins:
Vincent Ingala:
Tenor sax:
Soprano sax:
Electric guitar:
Marion Meadows:
Peter White:
On to wide shots, starting with “Pleasure Island”:
“Kimi Trick”:
“Real Time”:
“Humanity”:
“Caravan of Dreams”:
“Bright”:
“In Rainbows”:
“Here We Go”:
“Coast to Coast”:
The finale – “I’ll Be Around”:
The last note:
With the night complete, Jay gave thanks:
Afterward, I packed up my equipment and headed for the meet and greet in the lobby.
The musician I met and greeted was Peter White:
It had been five years since I last saw him in person, aboard the Guitars and Saxes Smooth Cruise in 2010.
After speaking with Peter, I moved on to Marion Meadows, Rohn Lawrence, and Vincent Ingala.
Here I am with Vincent:
Rohn and Jay Dobbins:
While waiting in line, Jay Rowe asked if anyone had a Sharpie he could use for autographing. I gave him the one in my backpack and let him keep it. I can always get more.
I said my goodbyes and headed to the nearby Hampton Inn for the night. I left for LIU Post in the morning.
Brian Simpson concert recap 3 (7PM show) February 17, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel, Weather.add a comment
Previous Brian Simpson recaps: April 2011, September 2012
I was at Houndstooth Pub on Valentine’s Day to see keyboardist Brian Simpson perform. As with Lisa Hilton last month, this was the third time I had seen Brian live. Also like Lisa’s show, Brian debuted material from an upcoming album. Out of a Dream was released today.
There always seems to be an active weather pattern when I go to see Brian Simpson. The first time, there was a nor’easter. The second time, a severe thunderstorm threatened Manhattan, but weakened considerably by the time it crossed the Hudson River. This time, a clipper brought light snow to the area, but it was forecast to reform and intensify offshore at night, dumping heavier snow and strong gusty winds in the process.
I took this shot before I left with my girlfriend for the Wantagh LIRR station:
I considered it a before picture, expecting to take an after picture when we got home that would show a few inches on the ground with more to come overnight. Luckily, the forecast models changed dramatically while my girlfriend and I were out. The worst of the snow stayed to the south. The same coating you see above awaited us when we got back to Wantagh. An additional coating fell overnight.
Unfortunately, the wind forecast didn’t change. Gusts over 50 miles per hour began after 2AM and continued for about 12 more hours. From there, gusts were as high as 45 mph and occurred less and less until they were gone altogether by Monday afternoon.
But enough about the weather.
There were two shows that night: 7:00 and 9:15. My girlfriend and I got tickets to the 7:00.
Brian Simpson played keyboard:
Dave Anderson was on bass:
Les Cleveland on drums:
…and on seven songs in the set, Art Sherrod Jr. on saxophone:
The engineer was Neal Newman:
As I noted at the top, the show featured songs from Brian’s latest album, Out of a Dream. Here’s the full set list:
1. South Beach* – keyboard/keytar
2. It Could Happen* – keytar/keyboard
3. Just One Wish^
4. When I Say Your Name*^
5. Blues in G*
6. Sky Watcher^ – keytar
7. Can’t Tell You Why
8. Let’s Get Close – keytar
9. Just What You Need – keytar
10. Juicy* – keytar/keyboard
11. Saturday Cool*
12 (Encore). It’s All Good*
* Art Sherrod Jr., sax
^ From Out of a Dream
Now, for a series of pictures of Brian on keytar. First, pictures from “Let’s Get Close”:
One of the audience members he got close to – in the musical sense – was my girlfriend:
She’s been a fan of Brian for a long time. In fact, she first learned of me through my website after I posted my Mike Chimeri Show interview with him nine years ago. (That interview and more can be found here.) It would be another four years before she finally got in touch with me on Facebook.
For “Saturday Cool,” he went beyond the stage and into the audience, passing by Ron and Nydia along the way:
Back on stage, here are pictures from Dave Anderson and Les Cleveland’s “Saturday Cool” solos. Dave first:
Les Cleveland:
Wide shots:
“Saturday Cool”:
The encore: “It’s All Good”:
The last note:
Art Sherrod Jr.: “Once again, Mr. Brian Simpson, everyone”:
Brian greeted us when we arrived beforehand and we spoke to him again afterward. Then, we posed for a pic:
The red Sharpie in his hand isn’t what he signed my copy of Out of a Dream with. He went with a black one instead.
I’ve used this term before, but the set was wild! I can only imagine what it was like for the later crowd. Thanks to Brian, Dave, Les, and Art.
Dharma All Stars recap 8 January 19, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Interviews, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Radio, Travel, Weather.add a comment
Previous Dharma All Stars recaps: July 2008, September 2008, June 2009, July 2009, April 2010, August 2010, September 2011
For me, last week began with Lisa Hilton at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. The week ended closer to home – at Suite 1828 in Merrick – for another favorite of mine: John Favicchia‘s Dharma All Stars.
2011 marked the first time I saw Lisa Hilton, but it was the last time until last Friday that I had seen Dharma All Stars. I first saw them live a decade ago in Rockville Centre. I interviewed guitarist Chieli Minucci for my WCWP radio show – all interviews can be found here – and after we finished recording, he invited me to Dharma’s show, which was two weeks later, where he would be on guitar. I’m so glad I did. The People I’ve Met page includes pictures from some of the Dharma gigs I attended between July 2005 and March 2007. (Yes, I was much heavier back then.)
On Friday night, Dharma All Stars was led by John Favicchia on drums:
Steve Briody (“BRY-dee”) on guitar:
Brad Mason on trumpet…:
…and flugelhorn:
Coincidentally, Brad was at the first Dharma gig I attended.
Misha Tsiganov on keyboard:
…and Nick Lazarev on bass:
My interviews with John and Steve can also be found at the interviews page I linked to earlier.
The set list featured all my favorites:
1. Horizons
2. Coincidence
3. Sing a Song of Song (Kenny Garrett cover)
4. Black (Cedar Walton cover)
5. April Fools
6. Kukuc
John’s “Kukuc” solo:
When “Kukuc” ended, the crowd at the Suite stood up and cheered. Another spectacular show was in the books.
Afterward, my girlfriend took this picture of the Dharma All Stars along with Jeff Krasner and me:
Dharma will be back at Suite 1828 on Friday, March 13.
Lisa Hilton at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall again January 13, 2015
Posted by Mike C. in Football, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Sports, Travel, Weather.add a comment
Previous Lisa Hilton recaps: June 2011, January 2014
Later recaps: January 2016, January 2018, January 2019
I was back at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall on Sunday to see jazz pianist Lisa Hilton in concert. As you can tell by the previous recaps above, this was the third time I saw her live.
Four weeks ago yesterday, a postcard from Lisa arrived in the mail. Four upcoming shows were on that postcard and the Carnegie show was at the top. I immediately went to the Carnegie Hall website to purchase a ticket. I ended up buying one in front row center. As it turns out, there was only one other person in the front row at the show.
I got a ride to the Wantagh LIRR station at around noon. After getting a round trip off peak ticket to Penn Station, I waited on the platform for the 12:19 westbound train. I sat in the westernmost railcar and had a quiet ride. Once at Penn Station, I took the E train to 7th Avenue and West 53rd Street, walking to Carnegie from there.
I arrived at about 1:30.
Last year’s show was on a Thursday at 8PM. This year’s show was at 2PM on Sunday. The trip to Penn and the show itself allowed me to sequester myself from knowing what was going on in the Packers-Cowboys NFC Divisional Playoff Game. I’m not a fan of the Cowboys and was aggravated that they came back to win their Wild Card game against the Lions. Luckily, I learned back at Penn around 4:00 that the Packers won.
Weill Recital Hall is small and intimate, so much so that a sound system wasn’t even in place. The hall’s acoustics were the sound system.
It turns out you can take pictures before a performance, so I did just that:
I would have taken more, but my camera’s shutter was really loud in the hall.
1/17 UPDATE: Kudos to professional photographer Enid Farber on her wonderful shots during the show.
2/5 UPDATE: Enid has allowed me to post two of her pictures:
Thank you very much.
At 2:00 on the dot, the show began. Lisa Hilton played piano, Ben Street was on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums. They were joined two songs in by J.D. Allen on tenor saxophone and Ingrid Jensen on trumpet. I had seen Lisa, Ben, and J.D. before, but not Rudy and Ingrid. They were a superb quintet.
Lisa has a new album coming out on March 7 called Horizons. This was the first time tunes from the album were played live. Here’s what the set looked like (quintet except where noted):
1. Vapors and Shadows (Lisa, Ben, Rudy)
2. Sunset and the Mocking Bird (Lisa, Ben, Rudy)
3. Nocturnal
4. The Sky and the Ocean
5. Lazy Moon
6. Moon River
7. When It Rains (Lisa, Ben, Rudy)
8. Currents (Lisa, Ben, Rudy)
9. Seduction^ (Lisa only)
10. Dolphins
11. Surfer Blues
12. So This is Love^
13. Slow Down^
14. Waterfall^ (encore) (Lisa only)
^”Seduction” is originally from Seduction (1997), and redone on Cocktails at Eight (2000), My Favorite Things (2005) and The New York Sessions (2007). “So This is Love” is originally from My Favorite Things and played again on Sunny Day Theory (2008) and Nuance (2010). “When It Rains” originated on American Impressions (2012). “Slow Down” is from Getaway (2013). “Waterfall” is also from Seduction and Cocktails at Eight.
Lisa previously covered “Moon River” on Cocktails at Eight, Midnight in Manhattan (2006), and Twilight & Blues (2009).
The set lasted about an hour and a half. Each song was an instrumental landscape and each musician had a brush. Of the material from Horizons, my favorites were:
“Vapors and Shadows” – I was enamored by the fast tempo and staccato notes. They were like Morse code.
“Nocturnal” – This had a danceable melody and rhythm.
“Dolphins” – This was a relaxing composition, evoking images of dolphins frolicking offshore.
Of the material not on the album, I’ve always liked “Seduction” and “So This is Love,” so it was great to hear them. I had a “so, this is love” epiphany myself a few years ago.
I caught up with Lisa afterward in the lobby and she insisted we take a picture. I was more than happy to oblige:
I also bought a CD copy of Horizons in the lobby. I told Lisa I was hoping to hear her cover of “Gold on the Ceiling” during the show. Of course, I didn’t know it was a cover because I know very little about modern pop music. When I heard the 30-second preview of the song on Amazon prior to Sunday, I liked its energy, as I did with “Vapors and Shadows.” It reminded me of Horace Silver. And the title had me thinking of old prospectors chopping gold off a ceiling with their pickaxes. While sharing that visualization with Lisa, she told me the song was originally by the Black Keys. A check of the liner notes when I got home later confirmed that. So, this goes on record as another instrumental cover of a pop song that I prefer over the original. In this case, I don’t plan on listening to the original “Gold on the Ceiling” anytime soon. As for my visualization, Lisa interpreted the song title as gold representing a sunset and the ceiling representing the sky. I told her I liked that – a sunset in the sky.
Going back to Penn Station, I had planned on taking the Q train back to Herald Square and walking to Penn from there. Instead, I walked down 7th Avenue, through Times Square, and took the 1 train from 42nd Street Station to Penn. While in Times Square, I took this picture:
Like last year, the ball is frozen in time after dropping on New Year’s Eve.
Lisa Hilton at Carnegie Hall is becoming an annual tradition for me. I’m already looking forward to next time. Thank you, Lisa, Ben, Rudy, J.D., and Ingrid.
MikeChimeri.com 
