Concert 1
On November 24, 2013, I had the privilege of attending a contemporary live jazz concert at the Birchmere Music Hall in Virginia. The performance was by a renowned UK jazz group, the Acoustic Alchemy. The talented ensemble with a unique style and sound was under the leadership of guitarists Miles Gilderdale and Greg Carmichael. It was also anchored by some local talents as bassis Gary Graingner, drummer Greg Graigner supported by UK keyboard player Fred White. The jazz group treated us to an evening of thrilling performance from their 23 albums.
The band opened with a mid-tempo groove performing their album Arcanum’s “Homecoming.” I was fascinated from this early stage by the masterful riffs of Carmichael and Gilderdale. I further found particularly magical Gilderdale’s solo during the delivery of their next song “Overnight Sleeper” from their Natural Elements album. This artist would continue to sweep me off my feet with his skillful working of guitar strings as they performed “No Messing” and “Shorty” from their 2003 Radio Contact and Roseland albums respectively. My enjoyment at the concert would be ensured by their reggae-flavored melody “Jamaica Heartbeat” followed by “Sand In Her Eyes”, before taking things slow with their “Clear Air for Miles” drawn from the Back On the Case album.
I was marveled by the performance of the Grainger siblings which begun with Greg’s impressive drumming in the “Trail Blazer’ from the ensemble’s The Beautiful Game project. The brothers would initiate a stunning bass and drum duel during the performance of “Tuff Puzzle” plucked from the Aart CD. This got us on our feet. The band finished with their signature tune “Mr. Chow” from the Arcanum project. It was one of the most memorable jazz concerts I have ever attended.
Concert 2
On Dec 5, 2013, I attended a concert by The Dave Koz and Friends held at the Modell Performing Arts Centre at The Lyric Baltimore. It was a Christmas atmosphere. The band brought along the talented and beautiful composer/keyboardist/storyteller/jazz artist Keiko Matsui, guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Butler, nightingale Oleta Adams, and a rock-solid group including guitarist/musical director Randy Jacobs. I was particularly impressed by the band’s unique opening in the form of a comical chat in a brief skit followed by a horrid mess of famous “Jingle Bells.” A hilarious short film would follow in which the announcer attempts to wake Koz who is late for his show.
Koz would then showcase his talent with performance of “Get Ready” and “Winter Wonderland.” I loved Butler’s heartfelt delivery of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” as well as his holiday-tinged duet with Koz in “Sleigh Ride.” I found it heavenly Keiko Matsui’s acoustic piano version of the song “My Favorite Things.” Oleta Adams’ delivery of “Let it Snow” took me into a real Christmas mood. “Santa is Coming to Now” left me fantasizing. In a nutshell, the entire Christmas show pleased me with its festive and spirit-uplifting music.
