The big band led by Rolf Becker continues to gain momentum as it gets better every week, and has started to attract quite an attentive audience.?? The last two weeks especially have been unprecedented for us in that we had a captive, interested audience throughout the two sets played.?? I think the band is starting to get a name.
Also, two or three weeks ago the swing dancers came down to try and get a bit of dancing in, although the space is so tiny that they had a really hard time doing much in the space we cleared out for them.?? There was only really room for one couple to just do some basic steps, which is too bad because the big band is the perfect music for them to really do their thing to.?? Hopefully we can get them down for some other shows where there’s a larger space.
And the band has been given a good review by Marc van der Chijs as well.?? That’s always a good sign.?? Come hear it if you haven’t already, every saturday at JZ club.?? The big band starts from the second set, around 11:15.
Yeah, the big band was great this weekend. This was the first time I got to hear it and I, too, was blown away. I’m just glad I got there early enough to get a table!
In fact, this last week was pretty fun for me, music wise. Last wednesday I stopped by the Westin to hear Tinho, Jessica, and Kenton. Good stuff (your Dec 7th review was spot on). Then I went to JZ to catch Erica and crew. More good stuff. Then after that, there was a touch of a jam session, including Ce Ce from Natural Jazz (from the House of Blues and Jazz). Enjoyed playing a tune or two with her.
Then Saturday night heared Aron Ottignon do a solo piano set prior to the big band at JZ. He’s obviously a great piano player and I enjoyed some of the rhythmic things he did, though the crowd didn’t seem to be really tuned in. Of course, the big band got everyone’s attention. Rolf’s intros were rich
Sunday night I went to hear Natural Jazz and the jam session at the House of Blues and Jazz. Enjoyed their unique feel. Got to hear Billy play a tune, as well as several others including Kenton from the Westin group (I played on a few, too). Stopped in at JZ again after for the end of the set there (Coco et. al.).
Thanks to all the great Shanghai jazz players for the great week!
V-