my favorite jazz singer, Sony Holland, I've gotten to know quite a few of them.
I jokingly call myself a "Shota Osaba groupie " ( well, maybe it's no joke since
I always try to hear his fabulous piano music whenever he accompanies a
vocalist and, through him, I've come to enjoy some of the Bay areas wonderful
performers - Margie Baker, Valeriana Quevedo, Anne O'Brien, Amanda King,
Kathy Holly, Lost Weekend, and several others.
Last week, I got an email about a benefit to be held last night for Jim Rothermel,
a fabulous reed player, who is a member of the Golden Gate Rhythm Machine
for the past 25 years. I first heard Jim at a peformance of Lost Weekend,
a western swing group, for which both he and my friend, Shota, the pianist,
perform. I was just blown away by his talent.
Well, Jim, has leukemia and has been undergoing chemotherapy at Stanford. He
has been accepted for a bone marrow transplant as soon as a donor can be
found. His recovery will be long and tedious and he will probably not be able to
work for nearly a year following the procedure. His fellow musicians proposed
last night musical event, with three groups, as a fund raiser to raise money to
help during that time.
What a joy it was to be there, with all these incredible jazz musicians, and share
in that outpouring of love and support. I felt like I was taken back forty years to
the New Orleans of my youth, listening to the great jazz in the smoky bars ( but,
thankfully, there was NO smoke last night ) in the French Quarter. There were
several great New Orleans songs, plus a couple of hours or other terrific music
by the group of which Jim is a member, the Golden Gate Rhythm Machine,
Pat Yankee and her Gentlemen of Jazz ( Shota Osabe was the gentleman at the
keyboards ), and others.
"I Saw Her Standing There" from Shota's CD, "Happy Coat"
"Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" - the Golden Gate Rhythm Machine
"Why" - the Golden Gate Rhythm Machine
Not my style, but how nice that you've gotten to know them!
ReplyDeleteI loved the music in the French Quarter when I visited New Orleans in 1980, which is almost 40 years ago - well, 30 is almost 40 from my point of view.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to hear about musicians getting together to help one of their own, Carmen. That's love, alright.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Sharkbytes -
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of music do you like? I enjoy different kinds from country to rock and roll to classical but I'm not into heavy metal or rap.
Kay L.Davies -
Growing up, of course, in the South, I loved country music and, even, gospel ( still do ) and, even before I got to New Orleans, my mother instilled in me a love of Dixieland jazz. Once in N. O., I added blues and zydeco. I like most types of jazz, though.
Surely Mr. Rothermel was happy that night, I'm glad you attended and enjoyed the event. Thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteI like attending musical events, it's relaxing.
ReplyDeleteHi Carmen, I am a music freak too and been blessed to be friends with many wonderfully talented nationally and internationally known musicians. I have also been blessed to live in a wonderful school district with award winning musical groups so at least twice a year I am treated to awesome free concerts. This spring my daughter's chorale group has been invited to sing at carnegie hall! A dream come true. So glad you enjoy music and have the opportunity to share it live, which is absolutely the best way to do it! All the best, Alex
ReplyDelete