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If you could have been at any historic musical event, what would it have been?
Woodstock, perhaps? The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965? The first performance of Verdi's “Aida” in Cairo in 1871? Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall 1961? For me it would have to have been the Newport Jazz Festival of 1958, at least as immortalized in the evocative and impressionistic documentary “Jazz on a Summer's Day.”
I can't listen to jazz without recalling the images of sail boats, Rhode Island in the sun, the eclectic but absorbed crowd, and the outdoor performances of such all-time greats as Thelonious Monk (in bamboo-framed shades), Louis Armstrong, Gerry Mulligan, George Shearing, the inimitable Anita O'Day, and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
The movie portrays the breadth and power of jazz, and especially of music al fresco, in the company of like-minded friends.
And there it all was on Sunday, on the beautiful lakeside lawn of Lance and Joan Goddard at TCCA's “Jazz on the Pond” with the Ken Hardin Trio. The trio of pianist Hardin, wearing one of his many musical hats, Auburn bassist Mickey “The Bass” Bennett, and Nevada City drummer Kit Bailey, master of many musical genres, and featuring Grass Valley singer Ginny Trapani, provided an infectious program of jazz styles.
Juxtaposing the upbeat and the ballad, the program showed first-rate musicians enjoying themselves and each other. Hardin's varied jazz influences were evident in Brubeck's sophisticated and complex “Blue Shadows in the Street,” Oscar Peterson's “Gravy Waltz,” and Ramsey Lewis's driving “Uptight.”
Bennett provided, as they say in the jazz trade, “good bottom,” as the pulse and foundation, but with eloquent solos too (“Satin Doll” and “Lullaby of Birdland”), while Bailey provided rhythmic dynamism and subtle color. Trapani was passionate in “Bewitched,” besotted in “Misty,” and touching in “Here's to Life,” while her spare “Summertime,” with bass and drums, was spellbinding.
Then Again, the local band of Kathy Chastain, vocals, Steve Nicholson, bass and vocals, and James May, guitar and vocals, warmed up the crowd of over 200, many of them recognizable from TCCA's regular concert season, with a medley of classic light rock. Such favorites as the Beatles, Crosby, Stills and Nash, the Supremes, and Frankie Valli (“Sherry Baby” of course) were a reminder of concerts I wish I had attended. Memorable tunes, good ensemble and stylish delivery.
As a fundraiser for TCCA, the concert included a Silent Auction and a Pledge Drive. The prospect of Hardin diving into the lake raised an improbably large pledge. TCCA Executive Director Julie Hardin jumping in after him raised even more.
The concert provided the best of jazz, relaxed yet focused, in a mellow and informal atmosphere of music-loving camaraderie. A fine event for the end of summer and a great start to TCCA's 2009-10 season.
(Charles Atthill lives in Alta Sierra. Sometimes he has to be discouraged from vocally pretending that he is playing the double bass.)
Woodstock, perhaps? The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965? The first performance of Verdi's “Aida” in Cairo in 1871? Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall 1961? For me it would have to have been the Newport Jazz Festival of 1958, at least as immortalized in the evocative and impressionistic documentary “Jazz on a Summer's Day.”
I can't listen to jazz without recalling the images of sail boats, Rhode Island in the sun, the eclectic but absorbed crowd, and the outdoor performances of such all-time greats as Thelonious Monk (in bamboo-framed shades), Louis Armstrong, Gerry Mulligan, George Shearing, the inimitable Anita O'Day, and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
The movie portrays the breadth and power of jazz, and especially of music al fresco, in the company of like-minded friends.
And there it all was on Sunday, on the beautiful lakeside lawn of Lance and Joan Goddard at TCCA's “Jazz on the Pond” with the Ken Hardin Trio. The trio of pianist Hardin, wearing one of his many musical hats, Auburn bassist Mickey “The Bass” Bennett, and Nevada City drummer Kit Bailey, master of many musical genres, and featuring Grass Valley singer Ginny Trapani, provided an infectious program of jazz styles.
Juxtaposing the upbeat and the ballad, the program showed first-rate musicians enjoying themselves and each other. Hardin's varied jazz influences were evident in Brubeck's sophisticated and complex “Blue Shadows in the Street,” Oscar Peterson's “Gravy Waltz,” and Ramsey Lewis's driving “Uptight.”
Bennett provided, as they say in the jazz trade, “good bottom,” as the pulse and foundation, but with eloquent solos too (“Satin Doll” and “Lullaby of Birdland”), while Bailey provided rhythmic dynamism and subtle color. Trapani was passionate in “Bewitched,” besotted in “Misty,” and touching in “Here's to Life,” while her spare “Summertime,” with bass and drums, was spellbinding.
Then Again, the local band of Kathy Chastain, vocals, Steve Nicholson, bass and vocals, and James May, guitar and vocals, warmed up the crowd of over 200, many of them recognizable from TCCA's regular concert season, with a medley of classic light rock. Such favorites as the Beatles, Crosby, Stills and Nash, the Supremes, and Frankie Valli (“Sherry Baby” of course) were a reminder of concerts I wish I had attended. Memorable tunes, good ensemble and stylish delivery.
As a fundraiser for TCCA, the concert included a Silent Auction and a Pledge Drive. The prospect of Hardin diving into the lake raised an improbably large pledge. TCCA Executive Director Julie Hardin jumping in after him raised even more.
The concert provided the best of jazz, relaxed yet focused, in a mellow and informal atmosphere of music-loving camaraderie. A fine event for the end of summer and a great start to TCCA's 2009-10 season.
(Charles Atthill lives in Alta Sierra. Sometimes he has to be discouraged from vocally pretending that he is playing the double bass.)
