Jazz In The City Concert Series

Jackson Street Music Program presents and 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ welcomes

JAZZ IN THE CITY’S

Second Annual Benefit Concert for Jackson Street Music Program

Starring Will Downing, Norman Brown and Gerald Albright

With special guest Lalah Hathaway

Benaroya Hall - November 24, 2006

Reviewed By Scott Nakatani

On the day after Thanksgiving there were plenty of great sights and sounds to be feasted upon at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. With the sounds of the group The Matrix Trio greeting patrons in the lobby, the sight of gift bags being passed out in the VIP Courvoisier Lounge, and Lalah Hathaway’s mom personally selling her family’s (Donny & Lalah’s) merchandise in the lobby as well. This sold-out to the rafters concert had all the right trimmings to start off the holiday’s with the opening of this musical event!

First on the plate was the always effervescent and down-to-earth soulful chanteuse Lalah Hathaway. Walking barefoot onto the Benaroya stage like it was her own personal living room, Lalah gave a very inviting and warm entertaining seven song set. Wearing a blue and orange trimmed empire waist tunic and comfortable blue jeans, Lalah’s voice seemed to get stronger with each and every song she sang.

During the opening moments of her set, she turned a technical spotlight problem on stage for her, into a spotlight for her improvisational technique. With a spotlight shining down too brightly for her to see, without skipping a beat mid-song Lalah sang, “Please turn that light down… I’ll give you a dollar… Thank you Lord!” amusing and charming the whole audience.

Lalah’s set was highlighted by doing a cover of the Stylistic’s 70’s classic hit “People Make The World Go Round” and her tribute to Luther Vandross song “Forever, For Always, For Love.” The latter being her first number one hit song. Lalah made a point of dedicating the Thom Bell-Linda Creed penned Stylistic’s song to the Jackson Street Music Program (JSMP) youth in attendance. Before the show backstage during her Q&A session with them, she described the song as an unrehearsed free-jazz version of an old-school song from the 70’s. Her 12-minute extended live version of “Forever, For Always, For Love” showcased her understated under control alto to soprano vocal range (without all the overly wrought vocal gymnastics found in many of today’s new young singers which was refreshing).

Lalah’s talented youthful in age band had a surprisingly old-school vibe to it. Courtesy and anchored by the keyboard playing of Bobby Sparks on the retro Fender Rhoades and the Hammond B-3 organ. Bobby particularly dazzled the crowd with his double-time playing on the Hammond B-3 organ. The rest of his talented band mates consisted of Eric Smith (drums), Eric Seats (bass), Troy Edler (background vocals), and Errol Cooney (guitar) who played with Angie Stone at the last Jazz In The City concert.

After intermission, was the main course talents of Gerald Albright on saxophone, Will Downing on vocals, and Grammy Award winning guitarist Norman Brown. Before the show backstage, like Lalah, the three smooth wise men also graciously shared their wisdom the JSMP youth.

The three men and their amazing 7-member band kept the crowd highly entertained with a non-stop tag-team generous 2 hour 10 minute 17 song set of music. Their band members consisted of Mark Walker (bass), Judge “J.J.” Williams (drums), Travis Milner (keyboards – stage left), Michael Logan (keyboards – stage right), Randall Bowland (guitar), Tyrone Corbett (background vocals), and Bridgette Bryant (background vocals).

First to take the stage was Grammy Award winning guitarist Norman Brown. Wearing black jeans and a crisp white un-tucked dress shirt, accented by his sparkling white silver sequenced guitar strap, Norman opened the set with the title track off his most recent release “West Coast Coolin’” (Norman is currently in the midst of coming up with one more song to finish his next release on Peak Records).

Norman then passed the festivities onto the Sensual Music Man of the Midnight Hour, vocalist Will Downing. Will was stylishly dressed in an open collar white dress shirt, black dress slacks and a long black dinner coat jacket. Before breaking out into song, Will immediately set the stage of what he was all about by directing the first of many “I Love You Baby!” comments towards screaming female audience members. After singing the song “You Sure Love To Ball” the sophisticated soulful saxophone sounds of Gerald Albright were up next.

Wearing a white dress shirt underneath a black sports coat, along with white dress slacks, Gerald’s attire and playing was the epitome of ultra-cool. He opened his part of the show playing the down right groovable song “To The Max.”

With each of their opening soulful musical vaccination set in, the trio of smooth jazz all-stars proceeded in getting the audience members into a fever pitch. A few of the memorable moments during their set; was what Gerald called backstage his “percussive saxophone” playing during his song “My, My, My” (receiving a rousing standing ovation), Norman’s fast as a hummingbird wings playing during his song “Lydian”, and Will and Gerald commenting about Benaroya Hall turning into one giant Wild Kingdom with all the ladies screaming throughout the audience.

Judging from the audiences overwhelmingly response, the centerpiece and highlight of their set was their definition of classic-soul (old-school) musical medley of songs. Will and the backup singers got the whole crowd standing on their feet and in the aisles; dancing and singing along to the songs “September” originally done by Earth, Wind & Fire, “Hollywood Swinging” originally done by Kool & the Gang, and “Wishing On A Star” originally done by the group Rose Royce to name a few. That whole segment of the show made me feel like I should have been wearing Bellbottom Jeans and my Member’s Only Jacket from the 70’s.

It was also a special and unexpected treat to have singer Bridgette Bryant in the band getting a well deserved time in the spotlight, singing a duet with Will Downing on the song “Nothing Has Ever Felt.” Bridgette can be found singing background vocals on literally hundreds of classic records from George Benson to Stevie Wonder.

Their set ended appropriately enough with a trio of Christmas songs, thrown in as a musical parting gift to the audience (“Little Drummer Boy”, “The Christmas Song”, and the song “This Christmas”). On this day after Thanksgiving Benefit Concert for the Jackson Street Music Program… my musical appetite was thoroughly and appropriately satisfied and stuffed. Can’t wait till next year’s event!


Jackson Street Music Program presents and 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ welcomes JAZZ IN THE CITY’S Second Annual Benefit Concert for Jackson Street Music Program Starring Will Downing, Norman Brown and Gerald Albright With special guest Lalah Hathaway Benaroya Hall - November 24, 2006 Reviewed By Scott Nakatani On the day after Thanksgiving there were plenty of great sights and sounds to be feasted upon at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. With the sounds of the group The Matrix Trio greeting patrons in the lobby, the sight of gift bags being passed out in the VIP Courvoisier Lounge, and Lalah Hathaway’s mom personally selling her family’s (Donny & Lalah’s) merchandise in the lobby as well. This sold-out to the rafters concert had all the right trimmings to start off the holiday’s with the opening of this musical event! First on the plate was the always effervescent and down-to-earth soulful chanteuse Lalah Hathaway. Walking barefoot onto the Benaroya stage like it was her own personal living room, Lalah gave a very inviting and warm entertaining seven song set. Wearing a blue and orange trimmed empire waist tunic and comfortable blue jeans, Lalah’s voice seemed to get stronger with each and every song she sang. During the opening moments of her set, she turned a technical spotlight problem on stage for her, into a spotlight for her improvisational technique. With a spotlight shining down too brightly for her to see, without skipping a beat mid-song Lalah sang, “Please turn that light down… I’ll give you a dollar… Thank you Lord!” amusing and charming the whole audience. Lalah’s set was highlighted by doing a cover of the Stylistic’s 70’s classic hit “People Make The World Go Round” and her tribute to Luther Vandross song “Forever, For Always, For Love.” The latter being her first number one hit song. Lalah made a point of dedicating the Thom Bell-Linda Creed penned Stylistic’s song to the Jackson Street Music Program (JSMP) youth in attendance. Before the show backstage during her Q&A session with them, she described the song as an unrehearsed free-jazz version of an old-school song from the 70’s. Her 12-minute extended live version of “Forever, For Always, For Love” showcased her understated under control alto to soprano vocal range (without all the overly wrought vocal gymnastics found in many of today’s new young singers which was refreshing). Lalah’s talented youthful in age band had a surprisingly old-school vibe to it. Courtesy and anchored by the keyboard playing of Bobby Sparks on the retro Fender Rhoades and the Hammond B-3 organ. Bobby particularly dazzled the crowd with his double-time playing on the Hammond B-3 organ. The rest of his talented band mates consisted of Eric Smith (drums), Eric Seats (bass), Troy Edler (background vocals), and Errol Cooney (guitar) who played with Angie Stone at the last Jazz In The City concert. After intermission, was the main course talents of Gerald Albright on saxophone, Will Downing on vocals, and Grammy Award winning guitarist Norman Brown. Before the show backstage, like Lalah, the three smooth wise men also graciously shared their wisdom the JSMP youth. The three men and their amazing 7-member band kept the crowd highly entertained with a non-stop tag-team generous 2 hour 10 minute 17 song set of music. Their band members consisted of Mark Walker (bass), Judge “J.J.” Williams (drums), Travis Milner (keyboards – stage left), Michael Logan (keyboards – stage right), Randall Bowland (guitar), Tyrone Corbett (background vocals), and Bridgette Bryant (background vocals). First to take the stage was Grammy Award winning guitarist Norman Brown. Wearing black jeans and a crisp white un-tucked dress shirt, accented by his sparkling white silver sequenced guitar strap, Norman opened the set with the title track off his most recent release “West Coast Coolin’” (Norman is currently in the midst of coming up with one more song to finish his next release on Peak Records). Norman then passed the festivities onto the Sensual Music Man of the Midnight Hour, vocalist Will Downing. Will was stylishly dressed in an open collar white dress shirt, black dress slacks and a long black dinner coat jacket. Before breaking out into song, Will immediately set the stage of what he was all about by directing the first of many “I Love You Baby!” comments towards screaming female audience members. After singing the song “You Sure Love To Ball” the sophisticated soulful saxophone sounds of Gerald Albright were up next. Wearing a white dress shirt underneath a black sports coat, along with white dress slacks, Gerald’s attire and playing was the epitome of ultra-cool. He opened his part of the show playing the down right groovable song “To The Max.” With each of their opening soulful musical vaccination set in, the trio of smooth jazz all-stars proceeded in getting the audience members into a fever pitch. A few of the memorable moments during their set; was what Gerald called backstage his “percussive saxophone” playing during his song “My, My, My” (receiving a rousing standing ovation), Norman’s fast as a hummingbird wings playing during his song “Lydian”, and Will and Gerald commenting about Benaroya Hall turning into one giant Wild Kingdom with all the ladies screaming throughout the audience. Judging from the audiences overwhelmingly response, the centerpiece and highlight of their set was their definition of classic-soul (old-school) musical medley of songs. Will and the backup singers got the whole crowd standing on their feet and in the aisles; dancing and singing along to the songs “September” originally done by Earth, Wind & Fire, “Hollywood Swinging” originally done by Kool & the Gang, and “Wishing On A Star” originally done by the group Rose Royce to name a few. That whole segment of the show made me feel like I should have been wearing Bellbottom Jeans and my Member’s Only Jacket from the 70’s. It was also a special and unexpected treat to have singer Bridgette Bryant in the band getting a well deserved time in the spotlight, singing a duet with Will Downing on the song “Nothing Has Ever Felt.” Bridgette can be found singing background vocals on literally hundreds of classic records from George Benson to Stevie Wonder. Their set ended appropriately enough with a trio of Christmas songs, thrown in as a musical parting gift to the audience (“Little Drummer Boy”, “The Christmas Song”, and the song “This Christmas”). On this day after Thanksgiving Benefit Concert for the Jackson Street Music Program… my musical appetite was thoroughly and appropriately satisfied and stuffed. Can’t wait till next year’s event!
Reviews:
Read Scott Nakatani's Review of: Guitars & Sax - October 29th Pieces of a Dream & Joyce Cooling - May 27th Joe Sample & Lalah Hathaway - March 19th
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