From: MGA Update (stevencatanzaro_at_sprintmail.com)
Date: 2003-01-22 11:17:30
Tuesday nite was one of those nites that make u glad you live in LA....
First, I headed over to Catalina's to check the sensational Cuban pianist,
Gonzalo Rubalcaba. If you are not hip to this guy, then be warned... stay
away, unless you want to see/hear one of the greatest instrumentalists in
the world.
Not only is his technique so tremendous even Oscar Peterson would have to
raise an eyebrow, but he is a very original composer, the way he fuses (or
infuses) the jazz and the Cuban elements. And... he doesn't do it all with
fast runs... he gets alot of different sounds out of the piano... he played
a slow, solo piece that put me in mind of some of Keith Jarrett's "Koln" era
music, but it was his firmly his own thing.
And it's not that dry abstract thing u sometimes get from virtuoso
players.... it is very enjoyable, and there are even moments of humor... (an
Afro-Cuban Sousa March?)... he is appearing through the week at Catalinas
with his regular trio (unbelievable...) and the great saxophonist David
Sanchez...2 sets nightly...highly, HIGHLY recommended... what a musician!
Feeling great, I walked a few blocks west to Boardner's on Cherokee (and,
yeah.. I did work up a little sweat... 65 degrees with just a slight breeze
and all... very rough weather...)
Tuesday's at Boardners is Bounce Rock & Skate... Carlos, who also heads up
the legendary Thursday nite Root Down has been steadily building this
neo-soul / hip hop nite, and I knew that a group w. tremendous buzz around
town was going to be blowing up the spot... Star 69 featuring Sy Smith...
The club was poppin'... only problem was... it was 85% males connected to
the music industry... (not a problem for some, I suppose....) and when Star
69 hit... it soon became obvious why.
Star 69 is a vocal trio of 3 F*I*N*E women with strong songs, tight
harmonies, and a sweet 3 piece backing band made up of some of the ELITE
young cats in the city.
(Especially, watch 4 Eric Walls on guitar... barely 21 and already working
w. the Isleys! That is 2 much talent!!! I heard a rumor he had precisely *0*
rehearsals w. the band, but to me he sounded like he'd been playing w. them
since high school!)
Sy Smith played keyboard and, although she seemed to be the leader, she
shared the stage freely w. the other girls..
Sy had a release on Hollywood Records, Psykosoul, and has done major
background vox, including Carlos Santana's Shaman album. The other two
singers are just as great... Dawn Beckman u might recognize from Macy Gray's
first big tour...
The sound had that neo-soul thing... but it had a pop thing as well... lots
of nice 3 part harmonies... bits from george gershwin, take 6, and other
stuff all up in the mix... almost a neo soul en vogue...
Here's the only link I've been able to find... just a pic, and click at your
own risk... this group has a MAJOR buzz and they're going to have their
first big show at the Temple Bar on Valentine's Day... if you're in LA,
check it OUT....
http://www.migente.com/Members/index.htmlLAUNCH_PAGE=http://members.migente.
com/Mexican_Muneca/