Anticipation ran high for the debut of the new jazz quartet formed by JSJBF board member Jay Sweet, at the Jazz Café. With a stormy forecast predicted, I was a little apprehensive when I got a text from our favorite bartender at the Chubby Pickle, Erin O’Keefe, that there was a partial power outage in the area. Undaunted, we set out, only to arrive to a total blackout! As there was still some daylight, the emergency lights were working, and the band was set up to play, the decision was made to start an acoustic set.
With Bobby Boyd on drums, Greg Grispart on sax, and Jay on the Double bass, they would give it a try. Unfortunately, in this configuration, guitarist Steve Bryant would not be heard in the mix, so he took a seat at the bar, where they were still serving drinks, cash only. The kitchen was closed, and several of the tables, all of which were reserved, were vacant, as some jazz fans decided not to make the trip because of the conditions.
The band had rehearsed a great set list of 60’s through 90’s rock tunes done in a jazz style, sprinkled with some of Jay’s fine originals. Well, that went out the window with the current circumstances, with the exception of the opener, Sinead O’Connor’s biggest hit, “Nothing Compares to you,” with which the trio did an excellent version. That was followed with Greg being featured on a spirited rendition of the Charlie Parker composition “Anthropology.” Also known as “Thriving from a Riff,” this bebop style tune was first performed in 1945 by a band that also included jazz titans Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, and Max Roach. Next up was the Louis Armstrong classic, “What a Wonderful World,” which sounded great, even as an acoustic version, in the hands of these professionals. Too bad that song title wasn’t to be the case, as management was forced to close, and everyone had to leave.
We look forward to them returning or surfacing somewhere else so we can experience the amplified sound of the full band. You can find out more about Jay and what he’s up to at https://www.jaysweetmusic.com.