A nice little Count Basie swinger, Take the A Train, featuring Jon on also sax, was the opener, and set the pace for a swinging, singing afternoon of song.
Black Orpheus featured a mystical sounding flute, and a plaintive soprano sax which both worked well with the mood of the song, and was played so well by Jon. Kim added his touch with a singing bass solo, and a wonderful bowed bass ending.
In a lighter vein, Kim gave us Lady Be Good which he sang and scatted, and had a lot of fun with. Eje sang Watch What Happenswith flute by Jon. Soothing sounds. It’s Debbie’s turn for a vocal called I’m beginning To See The Light with a tenor solo by Hot Crosse. Good stuff!
At this point we were treated to a foursome from “Vocal Point” Kim’s renowed ensemble of twelve voices doing mostly a capella singing. Two of the four, Kim and Eje, were already on the stand and the other two, Jan Hahka and Charlae Jenkins were in the audience.
First came Little Bitty Pretty One followed by a Lennon/McCartney son called Blackbird with a vocal background of voices. An original, composed by the multi-talented Kim, called Santa Barbara was sung by the lovely and capable Jan Hahka. Very nice Jan! Why Do Fools Fall in Love? Brought forth some beautiful four-part harmony. What a special treat it was, and the audience showed their appreciation.
Our second set began with the D.E.K. back on board, with Bruce Hale doing the always jazzy, Lullaby OF Bird Land followed by The Very Thought Of You. Nice work Bruce! Nicole Lvoff took the stage to sing Besame Mucho in Spanish. Next came a very moody Angel Eyes with an impressive octave jump on the last eight bars. Nicole gets better and better!
Straight, No Chaser standouts were a rousing piano solo, singing bass solo, and a drum solo with hands only. Wow! A very cool Shiny Stockings sung by Kim with Jon Crosse on clarinet, and more driving piano from Debbie.Peel Me a Grape—his time Debbie sang very nicely on this saucy song, resurrected by Diana Krall. Eje sangAutumn Leaves with a rubato beginning, and easing into an easy swing. Lullaby Of The Leaves gave us a nice ensemble sound of piano and clarinet with a swing drum solo with brushes.
The closer was All Blues with lots of scatting by Kim and Eje (in upper range) doing four bar exchanges at the end, and ending mellow with voices and tenor sax.
This group doesn’t just play, (and they play so well) they entertain. We are very fortunate to have them in our midst. They will be back soon. The song is ended ?? but the memory lingers on.
— Cherie