I’m a little worried this might be too much—spinning records before and after a set with the band. The initial idea, a set of jazz 45s followed by the band and then a set of party 45s, seemed more interesting than playing two sets, so we booked it.
Pulling records for the two sets got a little crazy. I could have easily fit many of the records into either set, so I kept confusing myself about which one I was building. Jimmy Smith’s “Midnight Special” is party jazz. I’m starting the second set with it.
I think this gig will feature the whole band. And because Skylark is a nightclub, we’ll play through the sound system, which means Ken will bring his electric bass and the rest of us will go through the PA.
Jack made it to the Jazz Fest gig, but he was unable to make the last two Little Theatre gigs. Those two nights—with sax, cello, bass, and drums (and no bass clarinet or guitar)—were like night and day. The first took us into messy territory with no subject, just vamps with no body. The second took its time and eased into things that allowed a melody to come to the fore. Peggi can always do that if she has the room.
Because we don’t rehearse and we don’t have any songs, all we can do is talk about it. That, and relax and stay open.
Boat 2004
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