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Originally posted by ocatchings:
Yes indeedy.
Too many people associate jazz as being music for older people. If they only knew the truth, Beyonce, Q-Tip, Usher, Brittany and the like would be out of a job with a quickness.
If I come to your city, you will know where to find me.

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Blues Alley is very supportive of local jazz musicians. Dr. Lonnie Smith, the famous organ player, with his signature turban, was just there doing his thing last week. But I would have loved to hear Herbie, Ron on bass, Freddie, and the gang all get together to play Sunflowers LIVE. That would be so great.

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Originally posted by Kweli4Real:

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Blues Alley is very supportive of local jazz musicians. Dr. Lonnie Smith, the famous organ player, with his signature turban, was just there doing his thing last week. But I would have loved to hear Herbie, Ron on bass, Freddie, and the gang all get together to play Sunflowers LIVE. That would be so great.

I have fond memories of Blues Alley from probably 20+ years ago. I was in Georgetown for a conference and happenned upon Blues Alley. I walked in really just to get something to eat. I thought that the $20 cover charge was a bit high, but hey ... I was in DC where everything costs.

They had a local act performing [I don't remember who, but they were pretty tight]. I was sitting towards the back of the club that might have had 20 tables.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Nancy Wilson was performing with the local band.

Her third song was "The Way It Goes" . Well, I love that song, so I got to patting my foot and kinda swaying with my eyes closed. Then all of a sudden a heard myself say "Don't you stop singing that song." I didn't think I said it that loud, but Nancy stepped off the stage, came over to me [without breaking her beat] and said, "Don't you worry, young man. I'm going sing til I can't no more."

Three hours later, without even taking a break other than to engage the audience, Nancy was still singing.

To this day, that was among the best performances that I have ever experienced. And whenever I think back to it all I can think is those were the days ... when the singers could actually sing their songs live and sound better than the vinyl. And those were the days when performers actually gave the appearance that they enjoyed their craft.