THE SPRING QUARTET AT MASSEY HALL

THE SPRING QUARTET AT MASSEY HALL

On a cold winter’s night, I decided to catch what could be the best concert that I have ever seen in years.   The lineup: Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding, and Leo Genovese, otherwise known as the Spring Quartet.

The entire night consisted of originals composed by everyone in the band, which gives it a fresh vitality and progressiveness to the jazz spirit.    It ran the gamut from straight ahead swing, post-bop, and even the avant-garde, done with such class, taste and pizzazz.

Although Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano and Esperanza Spalding are recognized jazz stars in their right, I have to take this time to pay special attention to pianist Leo Genovese.   He could very well be (and mark my words), the next McCoy Tyner.   His solos were so fiery, musical, and passionate that I literally felt like I was in a church revival meeting where the Spirit was moving like a hurricane.    If you don’t know what that is like, check out a black Pentecostal church.

My only complaint is that this concert should have been packed out to experience what I have experienced.    Esperanza Spalding displayed why she deserved the Best New Artist Grammy that she beat out Justin Bieber for 3 years ago.   But to play with a lot of empty seats shows the sad state that creative music can’t attract a wider audience.

Again, the best concert of 2014.   Period.

JACK DEJOHNETTE WEB SITE

http://www.jackdejohnette.com/

ESPERANZA SPALDING WEB SITE

http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/

JOE LOVANO WEB SITE

http://www.joelovano.com/

THE INTRIGUE OF JESUS

Southern gospel songwriter Bill Gaither wrote a timeless hymn that stated that there is something about that name.    The name: Jesus

Jesus is the Anglicized version of the Hebrew name Yeshua, or Joshua, meaning “salvation”.    It’s a name packed with power, conviction, and shivers that just reach down your spine.   For believers, it is a name to be revered even to the point of not taking it in vain.   For those that don’t believe, it is accompanied with an f-word or some other unpleasant choice of words.  

Every time I hear the name Jesus, whether as a cuss word or as a voice of praise, it does something to me.   In the Bible, it does say that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to Jesus Christ God’s only son.   I can’t help but bow in complete submission to Jesus, my master.   He is my joy, my strength, my song.   Very simply, Jesus is everything to me.

HAPPY HOUR AT THE WESTERLY

Deep in the heart of the High Park District, I decided to head to the Westerly for a light supper (and I mean light since it involves money and food portion). 

My choice was the Duck Croquettes ($14) served with a nice Tamarind dipping sauce and jalapeno puree.   It was well put together, the tamarind sauce complimented the duck perfectly, and I was completely satisfied afterwards.

The service was very friendly, I stocked up on bread to fill me up, and had a nice glass of cranberry juice to boot.

Will come back to this place again just for these Duck Croquettes, a cheap way to get my duck craving for the week.

THE WESTERLY

413 Roncesvalles Avenue

Toronto, Ontario

M6R 2N1

www.thewesterlyrestaurant.com

JAMES FRANCO/SETH ROGEN'S BOUND 3

Concerning the buzz of a YouTube parody video of Kanye West’s “Bound 2”, I decided to take a gander since it featured one of my favourite actors, James Franco, with his partner in crime, Seth Rogen.    Two of the sweetest Jewish actors doing a parody video.

After watching 4:30 of the video, it all went from being excited to most downright disgusted.    Basically it is soft-core gay porn at its corniest and worst.   James Franco is a fine actor and a smart person, but with his appearance being stoned on the Oscars, playing a black thug with shiny teeth in “Spring Breakers”, and claiming he masturbates, I am actually having second thoughts if this guy is completely heterosexual and sane.    For Seth Rogen, he is a smart, funny guy but I would never recommend a career (or condone) in the porn industry, cause who wants to see that hair.

Nuff said.   View at your discretion.

CD REVIEW: STANDARD DEVIATION

STANDARD DEVIATION

JORDANA TALKSY

Independent

5 out of 5 Stars

By day, she is a successful lawyer.    By night, she is a jazz diva.   Jordana Talsky has nonetheless come a long way since when I first jammed with her during the Rex days.

On her debut album, it is an all-star affair packed with clever arrangements and full of soul and depth.   It is evident upon hearing the first track, a funky jazz take on the 80’s classic “Black Velvet”, opened with a beatbox into that sets up the rhythm perfectly.

“Murder By Numbers” is a nice 12/8 set up before going into 4/4 shuffle, making this STING classic a very hipster number.    Old Devil Moon is given the latin treatment, which happens to be one of the highlights of this stellar recording.   At the same time, the highlight goes to “Devil May Care”, which is a moody, funky, soulful take on a Bob Dorough jazz standard.

Upon hearing this record, Jordana has a very clear as crystal voice combined with a personality that is bubbly like a fine champagne.   I enjoyed it so much I can say that this debut record would make a spot on one of the Canadian jazz albums of the year.

JORDANA TALSKY WEB-SITE:

http://www.jordanatalsky.com/