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I N - T H I S - I S S U E : Michael G. Nastos is music reviewer for the All Music Guide, longtime Detroit correspondent for Cadence Magazine, correspondent and Down Beat Critics Poll voter, and is a retired senior staff emeritus music host of WEMU, 89.1-FM. |
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King's Jazz Masters Series Kick-Off
Pianist Tad Weed and his trio with bassist Kurt Krahnke and drummer Sean Dobbins kicked off the proceedings with their usual brightly colored bop inflected jazz. Then Weed turned the piano chair over to the always inventive, witty and virtuosic O'Neal for a couple of tunes. Following that, It was announced by manager Jim King that the Keyboard House would be moving from its longtime home on Stadium Blvd. As soon as they are settled, SEMJA will resume this series, which all hailed as an initial success. Keep reading the SEMJA Update for more information on the new locale of King's Keyboard House, and the continuation of appearances by other "Jazz Masters." I N - T H I S - I S S U E : |
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n the afternoon of Sunday, February 24, SEMJA and King's Keyboard House presented the inaugural "Jazz Masters" performance and workshop at King's in Ann Arbor, featuring pianist Johnny O'Neal. It was an enlivening event where participants had the opportunity to interact with O'Neal and his band mates in a way they might not at a club date or concert setting. It was also a chance to hear the brilliant, globe hopping O'Neal, who was in-between travels abroad to come back to his native Metro-Detroit for a happy homecoming session.
Weed conducted an insightful interview with O'Neal, asking him about the recently passed genius pianist Oscar Peterson, time spent with Ray Brown and Art Blakey, and O'Neal's place in the jazz world post his experience playing the role of Art Tatum in the Ray Charles autobiographical film "Ray." In a rare treat, Weed and O'Neal played some delightful twin pianos excursions with the rhythm section. To end the day, local pianist Glenn Tucker, a rising star on our scene, performed with his trio of fellow student musicians, and accompanied O'Neal singing before they wrapped it up.