As Seattle prepares for the region's worst drought in 28 years, there was at least no shortage of musical talent to be found inside the walls of the 5th Avenue Theatre in downtown Seattle. The near capacity crowd that had gathered were treated to two very entertaining sets of music, with some musical history thrown in for good measure.

Taking the stage first was singer Lalah Hathaway, oldest daughter of classic soul music artist Donny Hathaway. With a gene pool of that magnitude to draw upon, Lalah quenched the crowdís thirst for Smooth R&B Jazz with her 9 song 75 minute set. Walking bare foot onto the stage Lalah looked at ease wearing a light turquoise blue top, along with a flowing beige long skirt. She started off her set singing the songs "Better And Better" and "We Were 2," both from her latest release "Outrun The Sky" found on the independent Mesa Bluemoon/Pyramid label.

By the time Lalah sang the opening notes to the song "I'll Fly Away," she had the audience under her spell and in the palm of her hand. She elevated the time-worn classic song "Summertime," interpreting it to new heights in her own unique way. Through her set she had a play full repartee with the audience. During the song "I'm Coming Back" off her 1990 acclaimed debut self-titled release, she joked she was only 7 years old when she made it. Other highlights in Lalah's set were of course her mega-hit song "Forever, For Always, For Love" her ode to the great Luther Vandross, the song "Somethin'" showcasing her vocal gymnastic ability, the poignant penned Joe Sample / Will Jennings song "When Your Life Was Low," and finally the classic crowd pleasing song "Street Life." Lalah sprinkled the talents of her band throughout her set freely; Eric Smith (bass), Brian Collier (drums), Errol Cooney (guitar), Mano Hanes (keyboards), and Sherree Brown (background vocals). During her set and before the show Lalah commented about our recent lack of rain, "I love the rain...the rains for me!" So if on cue, the first rains we had in awhile started to fall outside the 5th Avenue Theatre... as Lalah was like a rainbow lighting up the stage and the faces inside.

If Lalah was like a rainbow... Joe Sample was the pot-of-gold at the end of that rainbow. After a brief intermission Joe Sample and his trio took to the stage. Joe is one of a handful of instrumentalist of our time who commands and deserves a standing ovation for simply walking out onto the stage (which of course he got).

The musical history that I mentioned earlier was provided humorously and effectively by none other than Joe Sample, himself. He showered the audience much to their delight with stories and songs during his generous 11 songs 80 minute set. Casually dressed in shades of black, Joe brought out the best in the beautiful Steinway concert grand piano he was playing that evening. Joe's set was pretty much one big highlight of stories and songs too many to mention all here. A few though were his classic George Benson / Earl Klugh story behind his song "One On One" featuring his fingers flying all over his piano faster than a hummingbirds wings, his interpretation of the classic 1941 song "Stormy Weather" done with a stride piano flare, his ode to the queen of voodoo of New Orleans Marie Laveau in the song "X Marks The Spot," and of course Lalah Hathaway joining him on the songs "Fever" and "For All We Know."

The evenings final history lesson and encore came in the form of the solo piano piece "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm" off his latest release "Soul Shadows." "My father was a cook in the Army during World War I," said Sample, "and when I was a kid he would tell stories about the 369th Regimental Band and it's leader, James Reese Europe. He would frequently sing this song as it was one of Europe's signature songs." At the end of the song the audience saluted Joe in the form of another standing ovation. Backstage Joe wanted to talk about the current state of music. Joe commented, "I feel current music has lost it's story telling. I want to make music that tells a story. Like the old country songs used too." Joe told me he is currently working on an album of 12 songs of "Indigenous Creole Folk" music, and is looking for a singer who can sing that style of music (can't wait to hear those 12 stories). Joe was richly backed by Kendrick Scott (drums) on loan from trumpeter Terrance Blanchard, and Jay Anderson (bass) who has been with Joe for 13 years. During the evening I got asked a lot about Jay's unusual looking acoustic bass; it's a David Gage traveling upright acoustic bass, cut down in size for easier transportation in and out of airports.

The show benefited the Jackson Street Music Program; which provides youth with musical programming that enhances their cultural, social and personal development.

With the likes of Joe Sample and Lalah Hathaway we have a "reservoir" of musical talent and resource to tap into.