By: Rudy Lu
A quartet of the 518’s finest jazz musicians delivered a relaxing set of smooth Jazz/Pop standards to an appreciative audience at the GE Theater. This setting was chosen due to the still wet conditions at Jay Square.
Opening with “Killer Joe”, a tune made famous by Benny Golson, Quincy Jones and Manhattan Transfer, the band got the audience’s toes tapping. Good mood vibes continued with Bill Withers “Ain’t No Sunshine” and ” Lovely Day”. Al Jarreau’s “Good Morning” followed and the time honored Gershwin “Summertime”.
Special guest student “Anwar Khan sang and then played “Carol of the Bells”.
The program followed with Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love” from the 80s followed. “More”, “Night & Day” and “Fly Me To The Moon”from the Sinatra/Basie songbook were added to give this music a more contemporary feel.
The tune that in many ways defined the smooth Jazz genre followed Grover Washington’s “Mr. Magic”.
Drummer Jack Kelle had fun with the rhythms of the tunes, frequently grooving and swinging at the same time. Bassist Ben Odom was the obvious leader of the combo, signaling and beginning of the tunes as one could play many of these without an obvious ending. Azzaam Hammeed , who has many roles over the years as a professional from teacher, band leader, vocalis and church organist incorporates them all into this band. Laid back comping when there are vocals to masterful solos when he is given the space. Eric Walentowicz’s wizardry with both tenor sax and flute , clearly defined the melodies and kept the music recognizable and hummable.
Some Brazilian influences were played as the set was ending with Jobim’s “Girl from Ipanema”, the sensuous soul jazz classic “Sugar “gave room to stretch. The set closed on an upnote with “The Chicken” a driving tune made famous by the late Jaco Pastorius, in many ways an excuse for everyone to stretch out which they did.
Next Thursday’s Jazz on Jay will feature University of Hartford alumni, “The Cribtet”. This band has played numerous times in the area but this will be their first appearance on Jazz On Jay.
