With tributes to famous bands and artists seemingly taking over the South Florida music scene, it’s refreshing to note that Lake Worth-launched group Julius Sanna & the Positively Africa Experience (www.positivelyafrica.com) has paid tribute to an entire continent’s culture — through uplifting original compositions rather than mimicry — since 2007. And its founders are … [Read more...]
Jordan’s tribute to Hendrix needs to dig a little bit deeper
Tribute act mania seems to know no bounds, as even established international baby boomer artists take stylistic detours to salute heroes from their youth. Many make sense. Bassist Will Lee, of countless recording sessions and David Letterman’s covers-heavy TV band, started the Beatles tribute Fab Faux. Guitarist Mike Keneally, of Frank Zappa’s band, joined both Zappa … [Read more...]
Jazz singer Monheit happy to be scatting in her 40s
For Long Island-born jazz vocalist Jane Monheit (www.janemonheitonline.com), music is — and practically always has been — a family affair. “I think it’s great when music and family can combine,” she says by phone from her home in Los Angeles in late December. “It’s always been great for me.” Born in Oakdale, N.Y., to musical parents who nurtured her love for vocalists, … [Read more...]
Season Preview 2020-21: Female stars dot 2021 jazz landscape
Jazz takes a measured approach to the 2020-2021 South Florida concert season, eschewing the current, COVID-19-ravaged year in favor of optimism starting in early 2021. Which makes for an abbreviated schedule, yet one filled with younger, international distaff performers. Those include Japanese pianist Yoko Miwa, Canadian trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg, and East … [Read more...]
Streaming theater abounds for us shut-ins
Chances are, if you are reading this, you are an avid fan of the arts and are going through withdrawal pains, since all area theaters, concert halls, performing arts centers and movie houses have been closed by the dreaded COVID-19. And although internet-streamed performances are a poor substitute for the live stuff, a lot of writers, actors, singers and assorted … [Read more...]
Guitarist who reshaped Jethro Tull plays Arts Garage this weekend
If there could be a Mount Rushmore of musicians who changed the entire trajectory of the popular rock bands they joined, by sheer force of their inclusion, guitarist Martin Barre of Jethro Tull would be on it. Perhaps with fellow guitarists Steve Howe of Yes and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, plus drummer Neil Peart of Rush. The natural inclination would be to compare … [Read more...]
Jazz guitar innovator Stanley Jordan brings his magic touch to Arts Garage
To borrow a phrase from the Grateful Dead song “Truckin,’” what a long, strange trip it’s been for guitarist Stanley Jordan, who performs solo shows at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach on April 5 and 6. Now 59 years old, the Chicago-born Jordan became a rarity — a jazz superstar — while in his mid-20s as a result of his 1985 album Magic Touch. Released on the Blue Note … [Read more...]
Director Garsson revives Primal Forces company with full season
“If you miss (theater at) Arts Garage, we’re back! We’re back with a vengeance.” So says Keith Garsson, who directed the theater program at the Delray Beach storefront performance complex for a season and a half, until the drama component was abruptly curtailed in December because of huge financial losses. And with the end of his quirky, sexy productions there, Garsson’s … [Read more...]
Percussionist Thomas and band shine in fusion realm
It’s been 35 years since Miami-based percussionist Bobby Thomas Jr. last performed with iconic jazz/fusion band Weather Report, but the influence was still evident when Thomas appeared Saturday night at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach with his group The 7th Realm. The otherwise ageless 62-year-old percussionist showcased tunes by former Weather Report bandmates Wayne … [Read more...]
Bobby Thomas Jr. steps out from the shadow of Weather Report
Weather Report became the preeminent jazz/fusion band in history for a variety of reasons during its 1970-1986 tenure, chiefly its constant members, keyboardist Joe Zawinul (1932-2007) and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, both alumni of trumpeter Miles Davis’ bands. But the additional band members recruited by those two co-founders may have proven as important. Those included … [Read more...]