AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

Sacramento, CA
June 6, 2010 is a date that I will long remember, for two reasons; I attended my first Black Music Awards show and I fell in love with jazz.

The 8th annual “Sounds of Soul” Music Awards, held at the Crest Theater in Sacramento, CA, was a thrilling event, to say the least. Musicians, vocalist, and groups from all over the country vied spectacularly . Some faces were familiar and some were not, but each and everyone gave the audience an award winning performance. From Gospel to Rap, R & B to Jazz, it was truly a melting a pot for “Soul”, an exciting whirlwind of entertainment.

It was during the performance of Larry Ellis Jr, one of the west coast’s most spectacular jazz musicians and best kept secret, that I discovered a long dormant “love” for jazz. Thank you Larry Ellis Jr. Don’t misunderstand, I have always liked jazz, respected jazz, listened to jazz, but love it? I don’t think so. But now, I know I can love it with the same passion that I’ve always applied to R&B.

Listening to the interpretations of “Ode to Billy Joe”,”Nuthin’ But a G Thing” from his latest CD “Your Favorites My Way” Ellis and his band Southwind, gave me a new out look on the soul of jazz. For the first time I felt the spirit of jazz flow from the soles of my feet to the crown of my head and it was then I knew, that from that point on, jazz and I would be lovers! It took an extraordinary master of music to bring this die hard R&B fan into the house of jazz. No wonder he won two, not one,but two, Sounds of Soul awards. Larry Ellis Jr won the Soul award for ”Best Jazz Band” and “Best Jazz Musician”. No Surprise there!

There is so much more to say about this jazz impresario, but talk is cheap, listening is better.

Get to know and enjoy Larry Ellis Jr.  He’s not hard to find.  Just follow the music.

http://www.jazzplaya.com/

http://myspace.com/larryellisjr

http://reverbnation/larryellisjr

http://itunes.com/larryellisjr

http://rhapsody/larryellisjr

And A Good Time Was Had By All...

It was about an hour past sundown when Jonesy (my

husband) and I walked into a nice little neighborhood establishment known as “ A Touch A’ Class”.  Famous in Sacramento for its barbeque, southern cuisine and good times. We decided it would be a good place to pick up dinner for Pop (my father-in-law) since I was on “strike” (that’s another story). 

When we walked through the door, we were welcomed by the sound of hot R&B, friendly faces, and aromas like the ones  I used to smell in my grandma Hannah’s kitchen.  Talk about comfort level.  At any rate, we placed our order, found a table, took a seat, and began to really enjoy  the “old school” atmosphere.

As I waited  for our order, a slow smile moved across my lips as I began to reminisce. 

In the early 80’s, when the numbers runner was still a mainstay in the hood (pre lottery), and the jheri curl was the coiffure of choice, there was an after hours spot in my old neighborhood that was the Black version of “Cheers”. It was located in the basement of a private home, and on any given  Friday or Saturday night, everybody, and I do mean everybody, could be found there.  The backstreet hustler and the working stiff, gathered there for a brief respite from the daily dramas of life and have a little fun.   The lights were low and the bar was well stocked.  Whatever your poison you could find it there.   Dancing in the front room, gambling in the back, and in between, a bar that stretched from one end of the room to the other.   At # 6 (that’s what it was called) deals were made, philosophies were developed, politics was discussed, stress was released, and lifelong relationships either  began or ended. And while it was more evolved than the “nip joints” in my parents day, it too would fade into the past.

In the history of America, the “nip joint”, “juke joint”, “speakeasy”, “blind pig”, “after hours spot”, which ever moniker you wish to apply, can most times be found as  a footnote listed under “illegal blight”.  While that may be a factual  view from the top, there is no denying that  such establishments served a purpose.  In the past,  juke joints in the black community, aside from being  a secular source of entertainment and social interaction, provided a showcase for local talent and a home away from home for many black musicians who traveled the “chitlin circuit”.  They were a theater, restaurant, bar, and dance hall all rolled in to one. 

I finally drifted back from my reverie of  days gone by.  Jonesy paid for Pop’s dinner  and, promising to return, we  made our exit.  As we headed home,  couldn’t help but think about how the curtains had closed #6 and other such shadow land establishments, clearing the stage for its more sophisticated, and certainly more, legitimate decedents.

So, if fabulous food is what you seek, one and a half blocks away from the long defunct #6, you can find it at the “Croaker Spot” restaurant, one of the finest soul food restaurants in the nation (ask Bobby Flay!) Wonderful food and an atmosphere that says “you’re welcomed here”.  And if you need a shot of hot music and dancing the night away, you can find your niche anywhere across this country without knocking on the “Green Door”.  If you’re ever on the west coast check out the Avalon night club in Sacramento. Fabulous  environment,  and the bar, well let’s just say that the old “#6” never looked like that!

I guess the moral of this story (if there is one) would be that time passes and circumstances change but the need for human social interaction and comfort does not, we will always look for  places to meet and greet.  Whatever your style may be, just look around, a good time maybe right around the corner.

 http://avalonsacramento.com/

http://www.croakersspot.com/