Well......
Through a trick of the calendar, the HJO played Chris's Jazz Cafe here in Philly, last Monday, 28 July and last night, 4 August...
To say that we brought the house down may sound immodest but it would be accurate. We had large, attentive audiences both nights and their energy certainly contributed to the overall intensity.
While everyone really shone last night in particular, it needs to be said that a certain truism of the large jazz ensemble sound was much in evidence. In other words, give me a strong lead trumpet player and a great drummer and I'll give you a large jazz ensemble. Matt Cappy, just back from a grueling 6 week tour of Europe with Jay-Z, led the horn section like a man possessed and our young, fire breathing drummer, Anthony Viscounte kicked us and spurred us and refused to let us flag despite our obvious lather. (my black gig shirt has white waves of salt deposits...it was hot up there!)
Add individual moments of brilliance (John Conahan's version of "I can't take you nowhere", Tony Gairo's tenor solo on "Crash!") and it was a recipe for stompin' some booty. Even the transciptions were right and tight...
A special huzzah to Mike Lorenz sittin' in on guitar and Chelsea Dehner sittin' in on the girl singer chair and Hostess Stacia for the hopsitality....we also sold 13 CDs....I ran the f out!
Anyway, a great night last night and last Monday and if the last two weeks numbers and shows don't get us a weekend night...well...it'll be because we're a victim of our own success....perhaps it's a little rare to fill up a medium sized Jazz club on a Monday night in the summer and if you can find a group to do it....well.....you understand....
Cheers for now!
Mikey