By Donald True Van Deusen
Ray Charles, the old man river of American music who just keeps rolling
along, was at the Mann Music Center, Lansdowne Drive, off I-76,
Philadelphia, (215. 893.1900) 8 p.m. Sunday, August 11. He appeared with R&B
singer Regina Belle who has worked with various groups. Tickets were $58,
$48 and $38.
The 72-year-old Charles is arguably the finest jazz singer still living.
He is also incredibly one of the greatest blues, R&B, soul, country and
western and pop vocalists who ever lived. Born black, blind and in poverty,
in Albany, Georgia, he now has his star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of
Fame, his bronze bust in the Playboy Hall of Fame, a bronze medallion
presented by the French Republic and is in the hall of fame of almost all
the musical genres mentioned. He also has dozens of gold records and some 12
Grammys. He is a national treasure.
His renditions of everything from Georgia on My Mind and Born to Lose to
America The Beautiful are heartbreakers. His singing of It's A ManÃÂÃÂÃÂùs World,
Baby and I Got A Woman can make you laugh with joy. He started singing and
playing piano much like King Cole, but soon found his own inimitable voice
that is nothing short of incomparable. He has played to rave reviews all
over the world including such demanding audiences as found at Carnegie Hall
and Harlem's Apollo Theater. Some critics credit him with the creation of
rock and roll.
Friday night we had the very tasty guitarist Pete Smyser with his Trio
along with guest vibes man Tony Miceli at Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St.,
Philadelphia (568.3131). Tonight they have the distinctive jazz stylings
of songstress Suzanne Cloud and her quartet which features first class piano
man Mark Kramer. They will get an added boost from that terrific tenor sax
man Bootsie Barnes. Both shows were $8 ($5 for students) and go from 9 p.m.
to 1 a.m..
Zanzibar Blue at Broad and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia (215. 732.4500)
Friday night for $15 with shows at 9 p.m. and ll p.m. featured Curtis
Stiger, hailed as a world-class singer, sax man and song interpreter. He
provides a diverse range of originals and restylings with material from the
likes of Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer and Randy Newman. He has performed with
jazz legends Stanley Turrentine and Nat Adderly and has appeared on both the
Jay Leno and Dave Letterman TV shows. He also happens to be a handsome
looking guy.
Zanzibar, Chris' and Ortlieb's Jazz Haus have been named among the top
100 jazz clubs in the United States by Downbeat Magazine.
