Review of the Robert Hart Project
by Natalie Wilson
photos by Mark McDonald
Although I wouldn’t call it straight ahead jazz, we, at the Jazz Society, were treated to an afternoon of fun, entertaining music the end of October. The members of The Robert Hart Project featured excellent musicians who obviously like playing music together. Leader, Robert Hart, can do it all: he’s a good singer, plays all the saxophones and flute and on Billy Joel’s, New York State of Mind did a fine job accompanying himself on the piano. Besides being a fine musician and entertainer, he has picked some if the best musicians around these parts to be in his band. Jeff Elliott was on the keyboard as well as playing excellent trumpet, as usual. He even played a French horn on Caravan, a song that is attributed to Duke Ellington, but was actually composed trombonist, Juan Tizol, a member of Ellington’s band. John Enrico Douglas was a strong influence on the piano and played some fine solos, as well. Besides some of the more contemporary compositions made famous by Spyro Jyra and Steely Dan, accomplished guitarist, Maitland Ward contributed an acid rock sound to many of the tunes giving a more contemporary feeling. There were originals by Hart and more than a few tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra…not a bad thing at all! Drummer, Darrell Voss was perfection and bassist, Randy Tico was right in there on every tune and played some lyrical solos. Being a jazz purist, my personal favorite of the afternoon was Oliver Nelson’s, Stollen Moments. but I also loved the bossa nova treatment of Cole Porter’s, I Concentrate on You. during the afternoon, it was refreshing to have the variety of some newer, compositions interspersed with jazz standards. All in all, the Robert Hart Band gave a polished, up beat performance AND THE CROWD LOVED IT!
more photos here: