Detroit Facebook: Jazz Greats Leave Me Wanting More

Last night was a fun time as always at the Wednesday Night Smooth Jazz Series at Chene Park. The Jazz Fusion starring the fusionist himself Roy Ayers. Roy was accompanied by the Great Wayne Henderson, ‘Funkin’ For Jamaica’ Tom Browne, the legendary Lonnie Liston Smith, and Mikki Howard.

In ’07 when this tour hit I had the honor of photographing Roy & the band with the exception of Howard; she wasn’t on the tour then, the lovely Jean Carne was. (The pictures you see are from that show)

For the most part, the show left me hungering for more. Roy didn’t do one of my favorites, “Everybody Loves The Sunshine,” or the infamous “Running Away.” OH, I so needed to hear those two cuts! Maybe next time. I’ve seen him before and like I said was fortunate to hear a very long set with my faves as well as to enjoy the late Jon Lucien in one of his last live performances, so I’m pretty satisfied.

I was disappointed with the audio man though. There were a time when Mikki Howard was doing the female voice on ‘Funkin For Jamaica’ you could barely hear her. I’m not sure if it was the seats we were in, (Section 700) or what, but Mikki was getting drowned out by Tom’s horn, which totally blew the feel of that whole song. The memorable bass driving through the thread of ‘Funkin’ with the horn coming in as a sassy intrusion to the sweet female voice that is intertwined with the instruments on the original version, was missing.

The sound man completely blew it on this song and others; Chene Park if you’re listening, fix your audio problems!

The performance was set up as pieces of an ensemble fused into one big jazz super group. Each member of Jazz Fusion came out and gave a rendition of a hit or two. Mikki Howard chose “Good Morning Heartache,”—for me I was expecting “Love Under New Management,” so needless to say I was disappointed with her selection.

Tom Browne came out with of course, “Funkin’ For Jamaica,”—yes, my all time fave, but the sound man blew that song. Missing was “Thighs High”—

another one I just knew I was going to hear last night, but it didn’t happen.

Even Lonnie Liston Smith didn’t do his signature song, “Expansions.”

Oh well, but he, Tom, Wayne, & Roy gave a rocking rendition/tribute to the late Dizzy

Gillespie with “A Night In Tunisia.” Each time I hear that song, I think of the Chaka Khan version where she absolutely blew it out. The Jazz Fusion gave a worthy performance as well, I just kept expecting to hear Chaka’s voice somewhere in there.

I guess, I’m giving a disappointing view of last night’s show, but in comparison to last year’s performance, it was. The highlight of the show was the unbelievable drum solo by Roy’s drummer. He drew a standing ovation for his energetic performance.

Overall, I’m a Roy Ayers fan, and even with the shortcomings, I still enjoyed the show. Hopefully, the technical stuff will get worked out by next Wednesday; I’ve got tickets for the Dave Koz show.