SUNDAY JAZZ IN THE PARK
When a jazz festival threatens to morph into: a. a fashion show, b. a family reunion, c. a food festival, or d. an arts festival, what is necessary to keep it on track? The answer is: some great music.
The 17th annual Pine Grill Reunion has always been all of the above and this year was no exception. Where else can you see men and women dressed in pink or lime green or even in a bright red “day glow” suite topped off by a matching fedora? Where else can you go to see friends and relatives you haven’t seen since last year’s festival, share some ribs and catch up on old times? The Pine Grill is what you might call a “sartorial splendid, socio-culinary, art- music festival.
But at the center of all this activity, and what most of the attendees came for, is some of the best jazz and blues music to be found in the city. The first Sunday of the two Sunday festival (they’ll be back in MLK Park August 13), featured an eclectic mix of national jazz acts. Opening the festival was the dynamic “G. G.” Green, who visually evoked Ella Fitzgerald, but sounded more like the late great Dodo Green (for whom the festival was dedicated), “G. G.” from Harlem was a protégée of the blues legend, Etta James and performed a smoldering version of James’ signature song “At Last” (a song that many female blues singers try – but few succeed with). Altoist Gerald Hayes was given ample solo space and provided some nice obbligatos behind Ms.Green.
Next up was Hammond B-3 organist, Nathan Lucas with his quartet. Lucas and his guitarist, Eric Johnson brought back memories to the Hammond B-3 fans at the festival, of the late Jimmy Smith’s Blue Note albums with guitarist Kenny Burrell. Lucas and his group provided a nice mix of soul music and straight ahead jazz. Highlights included Johnson’s solo version of the Stylistics soul classic. “Betcha By Golly Wow”, and a group workout on Benny Golson’s “Killer Joe.”
Singer Ernie Andrews was backed up by a pick up band of local Buffalo all-stars who he had spent so little time with, that he didn’t even know their names (not terribly unusual for a touring artist using local musicians). Andrews, who has been on the national scene since the late 1940’s, may be the best jazz singer in the world that nobody knows about.
Though usually billed as a “jazz singer” Andrews is more of a “crooner” in the style of Billy Eckstein, and has always seemed more comfortable doing slow and mid-tempo pieces, than up-tempo “jazz” numbers. Listening to Andrews in the expanses of MLK Park, made one wonder what a great experience it would be to hear this man in a small intimate jazz club.
Closing the first Sunday was drummer Winard Harper who was making a return visit to the PGR.
Harper, much in the manner of the late Art Blakey, has surrounded himself with a group of well educated, highly talented “youngsters,” who demonstrated the ability to play everything from Latin tinged jazz to straight ahead be-bop. Harper and his group brought the first Sunday of the festival to a rousing conclusion.
Congratulations to Agnes Baines and the African American Cultural Center for providing a great community event. And to Carl Buckner, who was honored for his 17 years of serving as the festivals “Master-of-Ceremonies”.
The PGR reconvenes this Sunday, August 13, at 4 pm with local acts.