Lover’s Lane Jazz Band Review
Lover’s Lane Jazz Band
Sunday, June 1
I attended a concert fit for jazz lovers at Lover’s Lane UMC on Sunday evening. The Lover’s Lane Jazz Band, now celebrating their 16th year, just keeps getting better every time I hear them. They opened with "All Of Me", one of my all time favorites. Also the name of a funny movie with Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. They played pieces like "Take The A Train" by Duke Ellington, "A Foggy Day" by Gershwin, and "Laura" by Stan Kenton. "Caravan" originally performed by Duke Ellington and later covered by Chicago was fun and upbeat. Now "Soul Vaccination" by Tower of Power was introduced as a song to lift all sin from your soul and I don’t know about that but I did feel my chest lighten during that number so maybe it worked. I love any concert where you feel uplifted and happier when you leave than you did going in. I left with a spring in my step - just right for a spring concert. If you missed this concert the Jazz Band will be performing again on Sunday, June 29th at Lover’s Lane UMC 5pm for God & Country an old fashioned patriotic concert and pie auction. http://www.llumc.org I will definitely be looking for the cd of Chicago covering big band favorites that they played "Caravan" from.
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Music | Comment (0)Big Band Blowout
Plano Community Band
Big Band Blowout
Haggard Park
Monday, July 29
Plano Community Band played all those great swing hits from one of the best eras of music. Stockton Helbing, a drummer, guest artist for this particular show was incredible. There was one couple swing dancing to most of the songs played. Last night’s show was the Big Band Blowout and concluded the summer series of 2008. I recall them performing the Big Band Blowout last year as well. Let’s hope they continue the tradition next year. www.planoband.com
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Music | Comment (0)Natural Change
Natural Change in Addison
Upbeat Jazz
Saturday, July 19
Natural Change performed on Saturday
night in Addison’s Esplanade Park.
They were incredible. They played
Grover Washington, Earth Wind & Fire,
Norah Jones & yes even Prince. They
had a sax, keyboard, drums, and guitar
and the keyboard player as vocalist.
I have attended many of these outdoor concerts
in Addison and except for the occasional
couple dancing to a slow song I have not
seen such a large group of dancers out
there in front of the stage. I was
grooving with all the parents and kids.
I think there must have been 30 people
dancing free style at once. They stayed out
there for at least 3 numbers. If you
have a chance to catch Natural Change
go. It was mostly jazz, but upbeat jazz,
and they closed with Purple Rain.
This was more like a party than a concert.
Great fun.
Natural Change plays most Friday nights
at Brooklyn Jazz Cafe in Dallas. Go
to www.brooklynjazzcafe.com for the
performance calendar. The bands website
is www.naturalchangeband.com
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