Where were you last Christmas Eve? (I leave a long pause here for the JAZZ LIVES audience to reflect on their answers.) I was at Smalls, on West Tenth Street in New York City, in the wise and joyous care of this fellow — the imaginative and lively musician and thinker Tal Ronen.
Tal Ronen by Lynn Redmile
Here is the first part of that delightful evening concert, featuring Jon-Erik Kellso, Rossano Sportiello, Jay Rattman, Tal, Steve Little, and Tamar Korn — an authentic down-home New York City all-star lineup. And the highlights of the second half.
SWEET SUE:
I’M PUTTING ALL MY EGGS IN ONE BASKET:
THE SONG IS ENDED:
BLUE SKIES:
(and here is another — quite brief — Korn / Kellso version of this Irving Berlin classic)
DEEP NIGHT:
In a world that seems defined by haste (to where? to what?), private annoyance becoming public hostility . . . it’s wonderful to see Tal, Jon-Erik, Jay, Rossano, Steve, Tamar, and their heartfelt colleagues spreading love, joy, and kindness in swing.
And a postscript: WHY does this band assemble only on Christmas Eve? Don’t we need spiritual uplift in the other eleven months? Club-owners, festival promoters, concert bookers, take heed.
May your happiness increase!
