Friday, April 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Brunch with Grant Geissman Cool Man Cool - Performing on 4/11/10
So last Sunday my husband and I decided to go up to hollywood and check out the live jazz at,"The Twist Restaurant" inside the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.
http://www.renaissancehollywood.com/restaurant.asp. "By the way I totally suggest doing this"
Myself being a huge fan, of my favorite radio station KJAZZ 88.1. I had to check out the scene, as I have been hearing it promoted on the station for a month or more. I knew that one of my favorite DJ's, Helen Borgers host it every week and I was hoping to meet her. She did not let me down. (Bonus I actually got to meet two of my favorite DJ's that Sunday as Bubba Jackson was there also) See picture.
This was our first time doing this and man were we in for a treat. I am not even going to talk much about the brunch as it was pretty standard. Good all you can eat and all you can drink champagne.. Price at $40.00 per a little high , but not when you consider the entertainment we received. This Particular Sunday was all about Grant Geissman "Cool Man Cool" band , and Wow!
My husband, who very rarely gets excited about jazz loved this band so much so he wanted to do the review. I didn't publish it all. LOL. It was long but you will get the gist.
From Eric Habener:
I’ve seen a few bands in the past that have really *Harshed my groove, but as we approached the eating area, we could already hear the melodic din of Grant’s music, and I must admit, I was a bit anxious to witness what I was about to hear. My wife was already giddy with the anticipation and if music is the source of here pleasure right now…BRING IT ON!
We sat down and were blocked by a partition from seeing the piano player. Not a good thing for my wife. We immediately moved so we could get a full view of the band. That is part of the experience isn’t it?? The visual stimulation along with the audio..?
So now that we have sat down and relaxed, and currently have the best seat in the house, we were amazed by how tight this band was and the originality of Grant’s musical Groovation! Ya, I just made that up. But if you heard Grant lay down his arrangements, you can ‘t help but appreciate his prowess as a guitarist and songwriter. I can play a bit of guitar myself, and know some chords to help me through a song or 6, so I know when I see great dextratiousness on a guitar. Ok, I made another word up, but just go with it. I think you’ll get my point by the end of this review. Let’s say, so far I like this band!
If you could call bad music boring…you might say, Grant Geissman is the antidote for monotony! He really knows how to mix it up and keep you wanting just a little bit more of what he was doing in his last song. He seems to slip into and out of styles like a chameleon. I think he must get bored with writing & playing certain types of riffs, leads, and styles, …which is fine by me. If he can crank tunes out like, “Wes Is More”,” Too Cool for School” or “Minnie, Lights Out”…stay as bored as you want Grant!
I know I gave plenty of praise throughout this review, mostly, if not all to Grant. But I have to give allota respect to the other 4 guys in the group that have so much talent, that they should start auctioning it off on E-bay. It’s not fair to have that much talent while the rest of us mortals can just sit and watch!!
1st let’s start with Brian Scanlon. This sax – flute – woodwinds - multi-talented brass musician, kept pace with Grant as if they were Siamese twins reading each other minds. I mean really, how good is this guy??!! He was ripping off dynamics leads and like it was child’s play. The sax is one of my wife’s favorite instruments…which she deems the “Sexaphone”, but only if it’s worked properly. Brian, you definitely represented the Sexaphone Player’s Union with flying colors! You rock Brian!
Next. Emilio Palame. I spoke with him briefly as he only had a few minutes between sets to scarf down some primes rib and get some well deserved nourishment after tickling the Ivories like an aerobics surgeon. He indicated that he had been playing with Grant for 20 years...and as tight as he was with Grant and the rest of the band the rest of his precision scale climbing, I could see that this was true and this man had some world class talent. I’ve seen a few piano players in my day...and I am not lying when I say this guy is a virtuoso. Thanks to you and Brian for giving my wife goose bumps……That’s with THE MUSIC Emilio, so don’t get too excited!
Ray Brinker on the drums was the back bone of this group and holding tempo to drive their upbeat, but soulful rhythm. Ray could crank it up for tunes like “Wes is More”, or slide you into a slower sentimental piece like “Minnie Lights Out”. He made every movement look so easy as if he was toying with the skins. Keeping a group tight, is driven by the percussionist, and Ray performed that task like a conductor. You were definitely born with one foot one the bass pedal Ray!! Grant’s lucky to have you pickin up the beat!
And last, but not least, …Trey Henry! Because of musicians that are near and dear to my heart, like Sting, John Entwistle & Paul McCartney , bass players hold a particular interest for me because almost all good pieces have solid bass lines…atleast the music that I really dig. Some of the bass riffs Trey whipped out, made me wish I had the talent to run the scales like that. 1 word I can say about Ray is “Solid”. Not solid as in “Solid Job”, but solid as in Richard Roundtree - SHAFT - “SOLID!!! Thanks for reminding me why I love the bass so much Trey! And very impressive on the Tuba too!! If I didn’t mention this before, I totally loved this band!!...and now I am a fan!
http://www.renaissancehollywood.com/restaurant.asp. "By the way I totally suggest doing this"
This was our first time doing this and man were we in for a treat. I am not even going to talk much about the brunch as it was pretty standard. Good all you can eat and all you can drink champagne.. Price at $40.00 per a little high , but not when you consider the entertainment we received. This Particular Sunday was all about Grant Geissman "Cool Man Cool" band , and Wow!
My husband, who very rarely gets excited about jazz loved this band so much so he wanted to do the review. I didn't publish it all. LOL. It was long but you will get the gist.
From Eric Habener:
I’ve seen a few bands in the past that have really *Harshed my groove, but as we approached the eating area, we could already hear the melodic din of Grant’s music, and I must admit, I was a bit anxious to witness what I was about to hear. My wife was already giddy with the anticipation and if music is the source of here pleasure right now…BRING IT ON!
We sat down and were blocked by a partition from seeing the piano player. Not a good thing for my wife. We immediately moved so we could get a full view of the band. That is part of the experience isn’t it?? The visual stimulation along with the audio..?
So now that we have sat down and relaxed, and currently have the best seat in the house, we were amazed by how tight this band was and the originality of Grant’s musical Groovation! Ya, I just made that up. But if you heard Grant lay down his arrangements, you can ‘t help but appreciate his prowess as a guitarist and songwriter. I can play a bit of guitar myself, and know some chords to help me through a song or 6, so I know when I see great dextratiousness on a guitar. Ok, I made another word up, but just go with it. I think you’ll get my point by the end of this review. Let’s say, so far I like this band!
If you could call bad music boring…you might say, Grant Geissman is the antidote for monotony! He really knows how to mix it up and keep you wanting just a little bit more of what he was doing in his last song. He seems to slip into and out of styles like a chameleon. I think he must get bored with writing & playing certain types of riffs, leads, and styles, …which is fine by me. If he can crank tunes out like, “Wes Is More”,” Too Cool for School” or “Minnie, Lights Out”…stay as bored as you want Grant!
I know I gave plenty of praise throughout this review, mostly, if not all to Grant. But I have to give allota respect to the other 4 guys in the group that have so much talent, that they should start auctioning it off on E-bay. It’s not fair to have that much talent while the rest of us mortals can just sit and watch!!
1st let’s start with Brian Scanlon. This sax – flute – woodwinds - multi-talented brass musician, kept pace with Grant as if they were Siamese twins reading each other minds. I mean really, how good is this guy??!! He was ripping off dynamics leads and like it was child’s play. The sax is one of my wife’s favorite instruments…which she deems the “Sexaphone”, but only if it’s worked properly. Brian, you definitely represented the Sexaphone Player’s Union with flying colors! You rock Brian!
Next. Emilio Palame. I spoke with him briefly as he only had a few minutes between sets to scarf down some primes rib and get some well deserved nourishment after tickling the Ivories like an aerobics surgeon. He indicated that he had been playing with Grant for 20 years...and as tight as he was with Grant and the rest of the band the rest of his precision scale climbing, I could see that this was true and this man had some world class talent. I’ve seen a few piano players in my day...and I am not lying when I say this guy is a virtuoso. Thanks to you and Brian for giving my wife goose bumps……That’s with THE MUSIC Emilio, so don’t get too excited!
Ray Brinker on the drums was the back bone of this group and holding tempo to drive their upbeat, but soulful rhythm. Ray could crank it up for tunes like “Wes is More”, or slide you into a slower sentimental piece like “Minnie Lights Out”. He made every movement look so easy as if he was toying with the skins. Keeping a group tight, is driven by the percussionist, and Ray performed that task like a conductor. You were definitely born with one foot one the bass pedal Ray!! Grant’s lucky to have you pickin up the beat!
And last, but not least, …Trey Henry! Because of musicians that are near and dear to my heart, like Sting, John Entwistle & Paul McCartney , bass players hold a particular interest for me because almost all good pieces have solid bass lines…atleast the music that I really dig. Some of the bass riffs Trey whipped out, made me wish I had the talent to run the scales like that. 1 word I can say about Ray is “Solid”. Not solid as in “Solid Job”, but solid as in Richard Roundtree - SHAFT - “SOLID!!! Thanks for reminding me why I love the bass so much Trey! And very impressive on the Tuba too!! If I didn’t mention this before, I totally loved this band!!...and now I am a fan!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Big Cheif experience at New Orleans Jazz Festival
Ok it is almost time for the NO Jazz festival. Last year was my first time attending and I had no idea what ticket to buy. I knew I wanted a premier experience but when I researched online where the seats were compared to the stages, it was very confusing. I didn't want to be in the sun for four days, but I also did not want to be so far away from the stages that I couldn't see anything. I took a chance and bought the Big chief experience. I am SO GLAD I did. When we went into the festival with that incredible excitement you get when you go for the 1st time, we were welcomed in with our own special line and directions to the Big Chief Building. What is the Big Chief Building you ask? Well it is a air conditioned room with Big screen TV's, Bar tenders serving mimosa's, Coolers with good old fashion dove bars, tables of sweet treats, baskets of salty munchies and that is just a few of the perqs. Now I am not one to stay away from the real thing. (The Tunes) so off we went. We checked out every stage our first day. "OH THE MUSIC." Ok I digress. The seats at the big stages were a little further then I wanted but I have to say in the big scheme of things, they were the best out of the choices. They offered shade, beer and wine without lines, great people and most important, especially for the ladies. Clean and cool bathrooms. "We are talking the real thing." No outhouses. Now anytime we went to the smaller stages you were aloud to go up front right behind the section reserved for the Grand Marshall VIP pass. This was my 2nd choice of ticket as you get to stand right on the stage, at every stage. "Standing is the relative word here" No thank you on four days of standing. Yes I am a wimp". I have to say my first experience at the NO jazz festival will be on the top of my favorite memories list forever.. Oh and did I mention I never want to miss a year of the heritage festival fun again. Big Chief experience at New Orleans Jazz Festival.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
