Pearl Chan and Sonny Buxton retired from owning and running Jazz at
Pearl's in San Francisco, this year, and sold the establishment to Kim
Nalley and her husband, Steve Sheraton. They menaged to arrange for pianist,
James Williams, to put on his CD release party at the reopening of Jazz
at Pearl's (they kept the venue's name).
We
missed that first date, but managed to get there for the second evening
of performance. Williams was accompanied by Kent Bryson, drums and Al Obidensky,
bass.
The interior of the club was changed. Photos of Jazz greats were taken off
the walls. The club had a fresh coat of paint. Heavy drapes were added over
the break walls and windows to cushion the sound and tablecloths cover the
tiny cocktail tables. There is a modest $10 cover charge at the door, and
thank goodness, there is not a two drink minimum per set anymore, even if
you wanted more, the pressure is gone. Columbus street was still busy and
it is still extremely difficult to find parking, and lot parking costs a
good penny any time, even in the middle of the night in San Francisco.
James Williams came to play. He started off with "I Can Write A Book."
Followed by "Quiet Night, Quiet Star." Lots of octaves progressions
with his right hand. He ran with ease: eighth notes, sixteenth notes, then
thirty-second notes, sequencing onward, faster and faster. His technique
was incredible, continuously changing. His creativity unleashed with unlimited
variations to state his point. Dizzy's "A Night in Tunisia" was
in dizzying speed. Williams offered long introductions, and kept one guessing
as to which theme would showing up. A solo piano piece starting as if he
was rumbling on, then the spirituals showed up, "Wade in the Water."
Williams, also like cadenzas before the final end of a piece, further giving
free space to improvise. Bass offered solid support. His interaction with
the piano was interesting and cohesive. Though drums aptly followed, Bryson
got a little too excited and overpowered the bass at times.
|
Kim Nalley |
We were unaware, but not surprised that there is a nice venue in Palo
Alto, California, called The Edge. It is at the back of a bar and grill
of the same name. It would be a shame if Palo Alto, home town of Stanford
University did not have a venue for live music. The auditorium, if I can
call that, is a big room with wooden floor and a big stage. A very good
sound and lighting system. Considering the state of Jazz in this country,
this room probably hosts other music and dancing instead of being a full
time Jazz venue. Cocktail tables scattered around, not at all crowded. Self-service
at the bar.
This day, we came to hear Jennifer Lee, also unknown to us before. If she
is from the Bay Area, we wondered where she performs. She is a vocalist,
prime and foremost, and she is also a guitarist. Her choice of accompanists
at this gig was unique: beside Jeff Burenz on guitar and John Hettel on
bass, she included Rich Kuhns on accordion, and Tim Gutierez on percussion.
The percussion instruments were, a single cymbal, the congas, bongos, and
some other instruments like celeste and percussion eggs.
Lee has a warm, clear, alto voice, good articulation and precise tones.
You don't hear the slight bend to get to the note like some other singers.
To attack the note right dead center sounded easy for her, so she doesn't
have to think about it, thus her concentration is on the style, mood, and
creativity.
She offered several different styles of music, from straight ahead "Blue
Sky," "I'm Old Fashioned," to Jobim's piece "Chega de
Saudade" in Portuguese with an new harmonization, to an original piece
"Note to My Niece" that she wrote with a waltz time (a very pretty
piece). This particular piece has an accordion interlude that was very well
presented and reminded me of Toot's whistling. Another original piece was
"Jaywalking" by Peter Sprague, the producer of her debut CD of
the same name. She also performed a blues tune "Some of My Best Friends
are the Blues," showing the full blues swing.
Jennifer accompanists were all accomplished offering an intricate and sensitive
background for her to work with. The choice of instruments is refreshing.
The balance was perfect. We were pleasantly surprised and delighted to find
another talent in our mix. Her CD "Jaywalking" is just as well
put together and we enjoy her very much.
article and photos by Stella Cheung Houston
Back to 
Contents Page
Jazz Now Interactive
Copyright Jazz Now, October 2003 issue, all rights reserved
jazzinfo@jazznow.com
Kent
Bryce