On July 20th, member venue The Chubby Pickle was jumping, with the J v Archer Entertainment Jazz Café featuring the cool cats of SeaNote Jazz. From the first note, you could tell this gig was going to be a gas. The lineup was dynamite, featuring Guitarist and group leader Jeff Pecca on guitar, Jon Shuman on flute, Dan Weeks on drums, and Joel Bennett on upright bass.
Jeff was cooking on his Gibson Jazz box, laying down slick, melodic solos that had the crowd digging every note. Jon, a retired school principal now jamming to his heart’s content, took the lead on most tunes but knew just when to hang back and let the others shine. The musical chemistry between Jeff and Jon was tight, like a classic bop session in Harlem, guiding the tunes with quick glances and groovy vibes.
The rhythm section of Dan and Joel, well-known local jazz cats, kept the joint swinging. Both have graced The Chubby Pickle stage many times before. They stayed tight on themes and loose on solos, creating the perfect blend. Joel, fresh off a cruise ship stint, played his classic upright Bass with a steady pulse and smooth precision. Dan was in the pocket all night, laying down sweet beats and delivering creative, intricate fills that kept the audience grooving. When Jeff gave him the nod, he unleashed solos that were pure dynamite.
The band kicked things off with the Miles Davis classic “All Blues,” setting the tone for a night of well-known tunes that had the crowd hooked from the jump. Other standout tracks included “Joy Spring”, “My Foolish Heart”, “Simone”, “When Sunny Gets Blue”, “Groovin’ High” and “This I Dig of You.” With Jon’s flute leading the charge, these tunes took on a fresh, exciting vibe. His tone, phrasing, and solos were on point all night long.
It was a swingin’ evening of top-notch jazz, showcasing the finest local talent the Jersey Shore has to offer. The SeaNote Jazz quartet delivered a performance that was both hip and happenin’, leaving the crowd wanting more.
It was nice to see Dan Weeks behind the drums again on Monday night at The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation Monday Jazz Jam hosted by Jay Sweet. It will be held the fourth Monday of each month at The Chubby Pickle and all musicians are invited to join us there for a great time.
Don’t Miss the Next Gig!
Catch the newly joined JSJBF band, The Vintage Vibe Tribe, on Saturday, July 28th, 2024, at The Chubby Pickle from 6 PM to 9 PM.
It was really nice to see Dan Weeks behind the drums at The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues