By Tanya Batson, Staff Reporter.JPG)
Ranglin
JAZZ ENTHUSIASTS once more went home with their appetites satiated (at least for the while) after another night of 'Just Jazz' (Straight, no chaser). The main course for the evening was the well-aged talent of Ernie Ranglin, which they feasted on for over an hour.
The small space that includes the dining and also stage area of the Grog Shoppe was filled to capacity. Last night, it also appeared that those who had come were there for jazz and just jazz. The seats to the front were quickly filled, even before all the tables were taken.
The Maurice Gordon quartet, which was the night's staple, featuring Desi Jones on drums, Courtney Sinclair on piano and Dale Haslam on bass, did an excellent job of keeping the audience 'jazzed up' for the first hour of the evening. The quartet began the evening with John Coltrane's Mr. P.C. However, when Gordon got to his own Voodoo Dance it appeared that the music completely had him under its spell. He later revealed to the audience that he was in guitar heaven.
He was not the only one under a musical spell, however, as the audience was clearly there with him. He pointed to their relative silence. This was indeed true, as with the exception of three men who yelled at almost every note, the audience restricted their show of appreciation to applause. "This is the most attentive audience we've ever had down here," he stated. He was also quick to extend them a return invitation. "You guys are invited down here even when Mr. Ranglin isn't here," he laughingly told them.
Maurice Gordon did not pass up on the opportunity to introduce his new tune, which is tentatively named Miami Bossa, written just this month. He noted that he did not think he would keep that name, and after playing it, asked for suggestions. The suggestion 'Lovebirdie' was given.
The Maurice Gordon quartet finished off their set with Stanley Terrantine's Sugar and Charlie Christian's Seven Come Eleven. After doing a very good job of opening the appetite, the quartet finally gave way for Ernie Ranglin after a short intermission, most of which was used to try and fix some audio difficulties.
While these were never completely fixed, it did not detract from Mr. Ranglin's performance. The guitar maestro gave an excellent display as to why he deserves the reputation of being one of Jamaica's best musicians.
