There's a new player in town, a jazz pianist good enough to play with Lonnie Jacobson at the Casa Marina. His name is Gordy Michael, and he's someone you'll want to hear. I went to Lonnie's Monday night jam at Flagler's. Dave Burns told me when I came in that this guy was good. Dave wasn't kidding. The jam began with the regulars, Gordy, Lonnie, and drummer Roger Van Zant, aided by Dave Fadden on flugelhorn. They played "Just Friends" with Fadden soloing first. Then Gordy showed us how they play jazz in Oregon. Michael has excellent technique plus musical ideas you'll love to hear. With Lonnie's bass cooking underneath and Roger adding perfect drum accents, this was a marvelous way to begin the night.
Roger and Lonnie played their usual magical solos, getting things off to a flying start. "Days Of Wine and Roses" was next, with Gordy throwing in a couple of 'quotes' from "I'm beginning To See the Light". I love it when those moments happen. Gordy played a very nice rhythmic exchange with Lonnie with subltle riffs from Roger. Harry Schroeder comes in with his trombone in time to take a solo on thenext tune, "Just In Time". Gordy sang this one. His voice sounds fine with excellent styling The group segues into "Time After Time". We find out that Gordy has a huge range. He is a great pianist with superb dynamics. He plays excellent counter rhythms and has a great sense of humor
Michael Frank's "Popsicle Toes" was a delight. Everybody soloed, and Gordy did some audacious scat in every register. Dave Burns was digging it big time. .The group asks Burns to sit in. You know my opinion of Dave Burns. He is the absolute master of the idiom. No one can touch him on any level. He puts us into the season with "Winter Wonderland".Dave is such a gracious performer. He always gives everyone a chance to play. The horns do some harmony, which sounds fine. Next comes one of my favorites, "It Might As Well Be Spring". Gordy surprises us by playing harmonica on this one, and he does that very well too. This was very nice improvisation. I once heard Hank Garland and Les Spann improvise on this tune. This time was also magical.
Mr. Fadden adds a little Harry James to the mix. Dave's masterful touch brings it all together. Gordy sings Mel Torme's "Christmas Song". He is stylistically a combination of Michael Bolton and Michael McDonald, but with a less covered tone. His vocal is exquisite, and Lonnie plays an eloquent solo. Next violinist Charles Kaczynski plays Mongo Santa Maria's "Afro Blue". Stewart Schleffler sang Georgia revealing hidden talent. His voice is silky smooth and sultry. No lack of interpretation here.
Gordy Michael takes over again. He has been here two years, but has just started playing in key West. He gives us an emotional version of a Joe Cocker standard with an R & B feel, loaded with soul as he sings, "We Were Alone and I Was Singing My Song". Gordy is a very nice addition to our musical scene. He'll be playing Flagler's with Lonnie, and you can catch him in Big Pine with the Prime Movers doing his rock and rollthing. Go see him! Stay cool!