Ronnie Foster Trio at Nighttown

Although he came along at the end of an era in terms of the popularity of jazz organ, Ronnie Foster has led a varied and colorful career having studied with the iconic Jimmy Smith and worked with a wide variety of artists including George Benson, David Sanborn, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Turrentine, and Djavan. Currently leading his own trio featuring guitarist Jake Langley and drummer Jess Gopen, Foster is based in Las Vegas but recently headed east for stops in Rochester and Cleveland. His two lengthy sets at Nighttown in Cleveland were well-received and inspired, proving that this master still has the good to deliver on many levels. With perfect pacing and a disparate range of material, Foster and company impressed with such numbers as Wonder's "Bird of Beauty" and the original "Feet." On "Jan Jan," which Foster performed with Grant Green on the album Live at Club Mozambique, Detroit legend Perry Hughes joined in on the fun matching licks with Langley and turning up the heat. Building a strong connection between the musicians and audience, Foster's performance was one of the best sets recently heard at Nighttown.