Carlotta Schmidt kicks off the 25th season of Reckless Steamy Nights.
Carlotta Schmidt is no stranger to the Red Bank Woman’s Club living room, having performed there many times as part of the youth open mic, but this was her first time fronting a band made up of top local musician’s and kicking off the 25th season of Reckless Steamy Nights. In doing so, at seventeen she became the youngest performer ever to play this event; however, she had already released her first CD at sixteen. It was a bittersweet night, as earlier in the week, her long-time guitar teacher, mentor and grandfather figure who was part of the JSJBF community, Charlie Ruggirello, passed away. Charlie and his wife, Sandy Sasso have played many events over the years for the Foundation. The band dedicated this show to him, and it showed that music can be a healing force as it was that night.
With Carlotta on guitar and vocals, Mike Flynn, who recently returned from Memphis after competing in the IBC on guitar and background vocals, Jay Sweet on both upright and electric bass, and the mighty Lee Finkelstein on drums, this was a formidable group. They started as a trio with the medley of the Louis Banfa composition “Black Orpheus,” which morphed into “Angel Eyes,” a song made popular by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. They then reached back to 1947 for the beautiful ballad “No Moon at All,” which Carlotta sang wonderfully. After another song by a Brazilian composer, Marcos Valle, with English lyrics by Norman Gimbel called “My Little Boat,” Lee led off with the familiar beat of the jazz standard “Moanin,” where both Mike and Carlotta performed tasteful solos.
The first of three original songs by Carlotta, “Same Old Face,” came alive with her singing and guitar styling, aided by solid backing from the band. Next up was my favorite cut on the CD, Al Green’s “Love and Happiness,” and it was spot on. The band was crisp, and Carlotta’s solo was something you would not expect from someone her age. By contrast, listening to the solo in that song from a seasoned professional like Mike, showed how far she has come in the last few years. The Carly Simon song “Legend in Your Own Time” featured some great ensemble playing surrounding Carlotta’s vocals. After a workout on Aretha’s “Chain of Fools,” Carlotta demonstrated her growth as a front person by telling the story about the diverse types of music her family members like, before launching into something they could all agree on, a very sexy rendition of Chris Isaak’s hit song “Wicked Game.” The set ended with a raucous version of the Guess Who’s “American Woman,” and a big round of applause from those in attendance.
The second set opened with Carlotta doing the first four tunes solo. The last two were originals from the CD, “In Their Minds” and “Unapologetically Me,” which were both strong outings that highlighted insightful lyrics coupled with unique melodies that spoke beyond her years. As the preceding song title suggested, she is definitely an “Old Soul.” She then brought the band up as she related another story about her brother Denton, a DJ on a jazz show when he was in college, who recommended the song “Glistening” by a band called Flipturn.
It was a great choice for her vocal range and exposed this audience to something they wouldn’t have heard otherwise. Another great cover, Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move,” was followed by a song recommended to her by Mike Flynn and another great choice, Sam Cooke’s “Bring It on Home to Me.” The diversity of her musical palate was evident in the choice of the penultimate tune, Ed Sheeren’s “Pain Lies on the Riverside”. With the familiar bass line supplied by Jay, everyone was poised for Gregg Allman’s classic “Whipping Post” which Carlotta has been playing with Sandy Mack’s “Jamily” and she has learned her lesson well as they finished on a high note. What a great night of music from someone who has her whole life in front of her. She certainly made those of us who have supported her very proud on this night.
Don’t forget to support her fundraiser for 180 Turning Lives Around called Fourth Wave Fest at the Asbury Lanes on March 3rd. for more information and tickets go to: www.asburylanes.com or www.fourthwavefest.org