Jazz Jamm

Vinoy Resort, 501 5th Ave., St. Petersburg, FL. 727- 894-1000

Meet to hear the beat written by Guest SK

Fourth in the current Jazz at the Vinoy series and Rick picks a winner! Multi-talented Valerie Gillespie and her group, with guest trumpet player John DePaola, wowed the crowd. Billed as a night with Dizzy and Charley Parker, they played signature songs from both jazz geniuses, starting the first set with Cotton Tail and moving seamlessly into Ornithology. Amazingly, Valerie manages to both blow a mean horn and educate the ear: reminding us at one point to listen for chord changes, and giving us a lesson in counter melodies, as she and John each played a separate number together, asking us to listen for the common chords in both. They played old favorites, like Billy’s Bounce as if they had been working together for a life time. Joining them in the quartet were two seasoned players, Dave Randolf on drums, and Rick Steuart on keyboard. Rick took some solo riffs and really jammed.

At the start of the second set, Valerie showcased her other instrument, a wonderful voice, as she did a slow, sensual Round about Midnight. Rick Gee joined the group on flute with a subtle rendition of “Coming Home,” accompanied by great horn backups. Pushing her talent and synchronicity with John on trumpet, Valerie “scatted” a la Ella Fitzgerald to How High the Moon, while John blew an upbeat Ornithology. A+ to all for a great evening! Keep watch for the next Jazz Jamm at the Vinoy, with groups like the Jazz Juvenocracy scheduled in coming months. Signing off and flying off to northern climes, SK.

Jazz @ Studio 620

620 1st Avenue So., St. Petersburg, FL.

Tel.727-895-6620

Meet to hear the beat

Review by Guest SK

On the evening of April 5th the Nate Najar trio performed the second in a three month series of concerts at Studio @620. Nate is gaining an international reputation as an inspirational and eloquent master of the jazz guitar, and we're lucky to have a chance to hear him locally. With the gifted bassist John Lamb and Steve Bucholtz on percussion, they moved seamlessly from bebop standards, to bossa nova to down and dirty blues.

An audience favorite was Nate's bluesy original, dedicated to Bob Devin Jones' mother Ola Mae, which had the audience on their feet.

As an added treat, Nate introduced a young jazz vocalist, Lisa Casalino, who could have been channeling the front singer in a 40's jazz band. With a lovely, soft voice, and just a bit flirtatious, she won over the trip and the audience easily. Nate's last gig at the Studio@620 for the spring is scheduled for May 11. I recommend getting your tickets early as last night seemed almost sold out, and well worth it!

Jazz Jamm

Vinoy Resort, 501 5th Ave NE, St. Pete., FL. Tel. 727- 894-1000

Meet 2 hear the beat

written by guest SK

Rick Gee offered up a change of pace Friday night at his monthly Jazz Jamm at the Vinoy. The Celestial Orchestra is a 10 piece Latin jazz group with a beat and a message: 'tropical music with a message to honor our supreme being'.

The group's co-founders, Andrew Maldonado, Dr. Frankie Bermudez and Juan Santana gave a spirited performance, mostly Latin swing wtih a strong horn section and a wide variety of drums, maracas, grourds and other percussion instruments. Early in the set they changed the beat to a be-bop standard called Green Dolphin Street then returned to their Latin roots. The first few numbers seemed excessively loud limiting the subtlety of the thythm. But once they toned down the amps, the beat was contagious.

A highlight of the night came with the three solo riffs by the very young, very talented keyboardist from Columbia, David Cubilos, whose tight chords and changes delighted the audience.

Thanks once again to Rick Gee, who is working hard to bring good jazz, with a variety of sounds and moods to St. Petersburg. Bring it on, Rick, we're just getting warmed up.

Marchand's Bar and Grill

501 5th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL Tel. 727-824-8072

Enjoy what the wealthy enjoy when they visit your hometown St. Petersburg.

Currently, the Vinoy Renaissance Resort is celebrating the opening year of the original Vinoy Park Hotel in 1925 with a 3 course dinner for only, you guessed it, $19.25. every evening from 5-6:30pm.

The Classic Dining Menu offers a choice between two starters, two entrees and two desserts every evening from 5pm to 6:30pm. Good eating and we ordered a bottle of a nice chardonnay at $30. Split 4 ways, it was a little cheaper than by the glass.

The service, however, was lacking. I'd best begin at the beginning......our party of 4 arrived at 6PM, one of the first to be seated. No waiting. We were swiftly shown to a table in what I considered to be Siberia. We were quickly moved to a table in the main area, much more lively and the AC was eventually turned up. Arriving early we thought there'd be plenty of time for us to catch the JazzJamm show in the ballroom at 7:30pm. However, our entree arrived exactly one hour after being seated. That left a half hour to eat the entree, dessert and pay the bill. Silly me paid in cash so waiting for change put me another 15 minutes behind my friends who dashed off to make the 7:30 performance.

Would I do it again? Ummm... maybe if I sat on the other side of the room there might be servers who served. I don't know.

Jazz Jamm

Vinoy Resort, 501 5th Ave NE, St.Pete., FL.

Meet 2 hear the beat

written by guest SK

Thanks to Rick Gee's Jazz Jamm, Friday night at the Renaissance Vinoy was a blast and the Grand Ballroom was jumpin'.

John Lamb, virtuoso bassist, brought together a stellar group of musicians to celebrate the official release of his newest CD, 'Conversations North of the Border'.

From the very first number he had the crowd rapt, at times on their feet. They began with a percussion trio of Lamb, Stephen Buckholtz on drums and Tony Castellano on keyboard and the rhythm was set. Tenor sax man Austin Vickrey played a riff on one side of the room and trumpeter Greg Nielsen responded from the other side and the musical conversation continued as they reached the stage. The talent and synergy of the group was consistently great for the entire evening. Their range was incredible. From a slow and romantic rendition of Willow Weep for Me to the upbeat jazz of New Orelans, each musician had a chance in the spotlight. Castellano out did himself channeling Louis Armstrong and Nielsen, gave it his all from the deep throat of his trombone. His right leg joined in the fun, but you had to be there for that. Throughout the night, Lamb allowed his bass to accompany his group but then at times took center stage to show his mastery. Rick Gee joined Lamb in a duet whose subtle tones gave a nice contrast to the horns. All in all, a truly great evening. We even got an encore.

Look for this great venue next month at the Vinoy or check out the JazzJamm website for future performances. More than worth the price of admission.....a mere $20.

Gatsby's of St. Petersburg

At Grayl's Hotel
340 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL
Tel: 727-896-1080

You may have felt the same curiosity I did as you walked or drove by this quaint spot on Beach Drive. Certainly it's within a stone's throw of the Museum of Fine Arts and the new Chilhuily Gallery, but I often overlook it as a place to stop. I always seem to have something else on my agenda when I'm in that area, until that is, I made it a point to meet Java there recently. Gatsby's is part of the Historic Grayl Hotel which is reminiscent of the boutique hotels I stayed in during my travels in Europe. It was built in 1922 and a quick trip inside (we chose to sit outside on this lovely afternoon) takes you on a little time travel excursion. The bar looks like a great place to hang, advertising several trendy drinks I want to try. The lunch menu is comprised of sandwiches, salads, soups and pizza. I labored over the menu, which is plain site of anyone driving by, ending up with the pulled pork wrap (wet.) This good and plenty sandwich was stuffed with well seasoned meat and slaw, peppered with caribbean flavors and kidney beans. I enjoyed the macaroni salad, but not the potato salad that accompanied it. There was plenty of food for a noon meal. The prices were normal for this stretch of Beach Drive, appetizers start at $5.95 and entrees from $7.95. Dinner offers steaks and seafood, as well as pastas and classic American dishes, such as meatloaf, with a new twist. Dinner prices range from $8.95 to $29.95. The wait staff is among the friendliest in downtown and is one of the reasons I wanted to stop in. Someone always greets me as I walk by the hostess station. Make no mistake about it, the owners of this unique restaurant want you there and expect you to stay a while.

Jazz Jamm at the Vinoy

Meet 2 hear the beat st. pete

written by guest SK

Even on a too cool

Wednesday night, St. Pete downtown was the “in” place to be. The new Dali museum setting for a thank you buffet for docents, volunteers, staff and invited guests was a feast for the eyes.

The building mirrors the soaring grace and imagination of Dali; a perfect home for his works. Then on to the Vinoy to see and hear Rick Gee’s newest venue located in the downstairs ballroom with great acoustics and enough seating to hold a few hundred. It was close to full.

Tonite's show on stage, 'The Duke Meets Jobim', with Violinist Rebecca Zapen and renowned bassist John Lamb with solid back ups on sax, drums and piano. They moved smoothly from the breathy rhythms of Bossa Nova to the cool sounds of the Duke; “the Girl from Ipanema” meets “Satin Doll.” John Lamb is a virtuoso performer bassist who performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra for more than ten years. He was, as always, mellow and in the groove, and Rick even joined the group on flute for one number. We found Rebecca’s voice and take on the music a bit too country, or 50’s girl band, without the sexy off-beat of Jobim, but John and the backup group more than held their own. Entree fee was $20 with wine and beer available for purchase.

See Rick Gee's Jazz Jamm website for more details including next month's venue, John Lamb’s CD 'Conversations North of the Border' release party on February 18, 2011.