Additional Photos

Have you ever walked in a place that you have never been and it felt like home? This is exactly how I felt from the moment I walked in to the Lucy Florence Coffee House Art and Performance Gallery. They have made a few transitions from up on the east side of Hollywood to 43^rd and Degnan and then to another location directly across the street. This venue has it all and is another perfect piece in the monopoly board of life, love, culture, art and music that is Leimert Park.

   Click picture for Video

I walked in and the first person I saw was Dwight Trible. Ken Moore was there with his lovely daughter, Jo Ito from “All About Jazz” as well as a few jazz lovers that I see all over town supporting jazz music and many more that I have not quite yet had the pleasure. I am happy to see them all because these people who are out for the second set supporting a small black owned business in the community are the ones who really make a difference. Ken Moore invited me down to see Bobby tonight and his exact words were “This man is a genius”! I understood the passion because all too often great musicians are not given their due. Ken is one, as well as I, who go out on a limb to promote and support the players and the music even in the face of certain financial circumstances, that shall we say, are less than favorable at most. Yet the riches and rewards that we receive from this music are far greater than anyone could ask for.

  Click picture for Video

Bobby is a very appreciative and gracious cat. He too appreciates that everyone hung around for the second set and he did not disappoint us one bit. Big sounding masterful pieces of beauty rich with the romantic stories of our lives. The performance space is quite intimate and provided the perfect ambiance to evoke emotions that can only be experienced by the synchronicity of three dauntingly beautiful sounds: piano, bass and drums. Bobby playing with a warm elegance and bass player Joel Ector is, as Charlie Mingus would say, “Playin’ what he’s feelin’”. Dexter is an uplifting spirit full of rhythmic timekeeping soul!

  Click Picture for Video

After playing some lovely renditions of standards and originals, Bobby rolled out an introduction fit for a king for his friend and long time musical companion Dwight Trible. Bobby is a poetic speaker as well as jazz pianist whose class is displayed in his music as well as in his presentation. Dwight stepped in to bless us with a few of his precious jewels. His enchanting voice fills and takes control of the room only to bestow upon us the gifts of spiritual love and creative raw truths of universal peace for all men.

  Click picture for Video

These musicians pose such tremendous talents that they give freely to share their experiences in music and life with us. They are to be commended for their diligence in pursuing their dream in life, and sharing it with us no matter what it may cost them. Have you ever experienced Dwight performing Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower”? Well, this little sample I have left you does not even come close to the real experience.

 

When I used to do my jazz radio show at KKJZ here in Los Angeles, I had some fantastic nights where I played the most outstanding set of music. Luckily, I have captured some of these moments on tape. Because that is all that they were, moments in time. When you do not go out to see these phenomenal talents live, you are missing out on those particular moments in time. They are gone in an instant never to return in quite the same way. We who have experienced them personally can never get them back and you who were not present will never understand what they could have been like. But, we can close our eyes and recall on our senses to elicit simulations of those moments. We own that and it is for life. The next time you have an opportunity to experience jazz music that can enrich your soul, don’t miss the moment. It is good food for life!

 

LeRoy Downs