Featuring "An Album a Day for 2010". I have so many cd's, and a lot of them are the crappy ones that I am left with because all the good ones were either loaned out or stolen from me by my kids. So anyway, for 365 days it is my goal to listen to the good with the bad, the classical with the punk, the sucky and the sublime, and then write something.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Suzi Stern at the TC Jazz Festival, Thurs. 3/26/09

The headliner for the evening was Austin-based vocalist and poet Suzi Stern, who entertained the crowd with unique renditions of jazz favorites, some of which included original lyrics written by Ms. Stern. In addition to her tight 4-piece backing combo, she was joined on stage for two numbers by guest trombonist Bill Watrous. The combo was comprised of:

Utah Hamrick, bass
Ben Irom, piano
Rob Kazenel, drums
John Mills, tenor sax

1. “I Concentrate on You” (Cole Porter) -- The set kicked off with this Cole Porter tune with kind of a “Night in Tunisia” feel to it. Stern performed a scat solo, Irom a piano solo, and Mills a sax solo.

2. “Bye Bye Blackbird” -- Stern’s rendition of this jazz standard was slow and smoky and featured Mills on a sultry solo.

3. “Hide and Seek” (Josh Redman) -- Stern contributed her original lyrics to this fusion tune with a rock beat.

4. “Never Let Me Go” -- Watrous stepped out to join Stern on this number, which had an amazing section where Watrous’ trombone played a duet alongside Stern’s vocals.

From 200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday


5. “It Might As Well Be Spring” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) -- Stern continued to shake things up with a samba rendition of this jazz standard that featured a trombone solo by Watrous and a piano solo from Irom.

6. “Quiet Now” (Denny Zeitlan) -- This slow, 4/4 song featured original lyrics from Stern and Mills on a flute solo.

7. “Granted” (Joe Henderson) -- Things picked up considerably with this jazz jam during which Stern displayed her scatting prowess. Everyone got a solo on this one, including Hamrick on bass, Irom on piano, Mills on tenor sax, and Kazenel on drums.

8. “Seven Steps to Heaven” (Miles Davis) -- Stern’s set concluded with another tune highlighting her talent as a lyricist, and featured a scat solo from Stern, a sax solo from Mills and a piano solo from Irom.

Link to Suzi Stern’s website and blog:
www.suzistern.com
suzistern.blogspot.com

Pictures from the event can be viewed here:
200903 Temple Jazz Fest -- Thursday
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