By Donald True Van Deusen
Jeanie Kaye is the kind of singer who brings new life to old standards. She
During this season of events covering Academy, TV and Grammy awards, some key
members of the Philadelphia jazz community will honor Jimi Odell, guitarist
and singer, for his significant contributions to jazz over the past half
century.
Tony Williams, a major local alto sax man and leader, will present the
tribute with "some friends" as part of an ongoing series paying respect to
those keeping this truly indigenous American art form alive in Philadelphia.
Ceremonies including a performance by the Tony Williams Quartet and an open
jam session will be conducted at Lakey's Restaurant and Jazz Club, 8215
Stenton Avenue in northwest Philadelphia (Mt. Airy) from 6 to 10 P.M. on
Monday, March 26th. There is a $6 cover at the door with an optional $7
buffet. Lakey's Monday night jam sessions are like the joyous days at
Minton's Playhouse in Harlem back in the 1940s.
Jimi has a touch of the south to his playing, perhaps as a result of
coming out of Richmond, Virginia. He doesn't try to overwhelm you with
technique although he has it as learned with masters. I've described him as
easily one of the finest guitarists working today who can sing the sweetest,
saddest songs or up-tempo scat in a bluesy voice that ranges from baritone to
almost tenor with an electric guitar that fits tightly with vocals and whose
playing and singing are nothing less than pure poetry.
Bob Perkins, WRTI's mainstay jazz DJ and authority, said, "Jimi
continuously polishes his performance, always keeping it fresh." Critics
Choice noted that Jimi's "guitar speaks volumes and his vocals range from
heartbreaking tenderness to danceable scat."
Jimi has a new CD out called "Shades" currently receiving comparable notice.
Jimi worked with trumpeter Herbie Fields and noted drummer Tony Williams
in 1952 and later in Newark, N.J. , in 1955 when it was a jazz cauldron,
sitting in with such greats as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. He came to
Philadelphia in 1968, working variously with Bootsie Barnes, Daryl Hall, Joey
DeFrancesco, Shirley Scott, Larry McKenna, Kyle Kohler, Tyrone Brown, just
about everyone at almost every club in town. He had a trio for a while
called, "A Change of Pace," but has played solo for some time now in addition
to working as a sideman on occasion.
Although he still considers himself primarily a guitarist, his vocals can
be heartbreakingly telling. His versions of such mellow music as "Old Folks"
and "When October Goes," both on his new CD, are enough to make a strong man
cry. It's not the Academy or Grammy Awards Ceremonies, but it's nights like
these that keep the jazz flame burning in Philadelphia.
