Friday, February 8, 2013

Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering: WOW!

     Despite the cold and snow of a February Michigan winter, my Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering was a success. No, we did not have a standing room only turn-out at Detroit`s International Institute, but I am noticing a growth in my audience after each gathering. Unlike my previous Art House Gatherings (Bird, and Poetry Night), my February 2  event did not have a theme, but featured me performing my post-bop compositions. I was also accompanied by some to Detroit`s finest musicians. Joining me on-stage were Craig Tyner on bass, Bill Meyer- piano, and Karen Tomalis on drums (pianist Mike Evans and drummer Michael Brown were unavailable for this performance).

     As a jazz musician you develop a certain connection, sensitivity to nuance, understanding, and trust that develops over time with musicians you work with on a consistent basis. That trust extends well beyond the stage. Trumpeter and long time friend Mark Croft recommended Karen Tomalis to play drums in place of Michael Brown. Karen referred me to Bill Meyer for piano, and along with Craig Tyner they made it work!
 
     We played two sets of my compositions. "Caught and Busted" is a driving three quarter time piece that created intensity and excitement. After solos from myself and Bill, Caught and Busted went straight into Richard Rodgers`s "My Favorite Things" with extemporaneous improvisation leading us into Allan Sherman`s "Chim Chim Cher-ee". "Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" is a medium slow composition with a modal "B" section that is generally a fairly peaceful piece. As we were cadencing "Absence Makes the Heat Grow Fonder", I think we added an extra five minutes of pure creativity of music never to be heard again. Our second set began with me playing tenor sax making an unaccompanied statement. I would eventually be joined by Karen Tomalis as she provided beautiful colors accompanying me as a duet. As Karen and I were completing our musical journey, Bill Meyer and Craig Tyner would join-in as we began playing "Talking". We ended my Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering with Wayne Shorter`s "Foot Print" and our outro piece (you have to come to a Keith Gamble concert and discover what I play as an outro selection).

     A great time was had by all who were in attendance at Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering. Many in attendance were my music students who remained at the International Institute after the Keith Gamble - Woodwind Music Lessons Recital. It`s always great when playing at home to see friends and relatives in the audience. It was also a pleasure to see my Meet-up friends from the Jazz Fans of Greater Detroit in the audience, and all other jazz fans who were in attendance.

     I want to give a special thanks to musicians Bill Meyer, Karen Tomalis, and Craig Tyner. Thanks also to Detroit`s Finest Soulfood, and International Institute of Metro Detroit. I also want to give a very special thanks to my daughter Victoria Gamble, and my wife of almost 29 years Patricia Gamble.

     See you at the next Keith Gamble`s Art House Gathering, and tell a friend.

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