The Jazzcat

 

 

Additional Photos

 

The Disney Concert Hall

is absolutely amazing! The space is divinely crafted for the ultimate

experience in sound. Yes, tonight it’s jazz music backed by the Los

Angeles Philharmonic and we are ready!

 

The stage starts out

with only a few musicians warming up and practicing their respective

parts and is soon filled with a cacophony of wonderful sound. Violins,

French horns, Trumpets, Trombones, Vibraphone, Harp, Cellos, Tympani,

Bass Clarinet, Tuba, Pocket Trumpet, Viola, you name it and it was

there. It sounds like a magical night at the theme park. The concert

hasn’t even started and the room is filled with excitement.

 

I look around and see

of course jazz lovers, along with a majority of people who seem to be

used to attending the philharmonic. All of a sudden the lights dim, the

stage and the audience is quiet. My boys come on to the stage looking

good! Munyungo Jackson, Reuben Rogers, and Gregory Hutchinson looking

mighty dapper in black tie ready to give this audience a taste of real

jazz music. They are followed by Diane and Billy and the applause is

abundant. What is interesting is that the applause is different than

that of a normal jazz crowd. It has a sense of properness and

conformity all the while giving much respect to the reigning queen of

jazz vocals. Billy has arranged some excellent pieces for Diane and the

Disney Concert Hall has given them a grand welcome.

 

To my surprise I am joined by my good friend Jean Hubbard-Boone and we are ready for a great experience.

The thunderous

wonderful, full sound of the LA Phil erupts and of course Diane is

wonderful. There are few times in life that I have been able to

experience jazz music with such glorious and dramatic beautiful

support. It’s a living motion picture and jazz is at the forefront.

 

From the Comeback Inn

to the Disney Concert Hall has been adventure for Diane. It has never

been about the money but always about the love of the music, the art

and the wonderful relationships with musicians, family and friends.

Diane is beautiful. Stop, listen and understand the full meaning of

beautiful and you might be close to understanding what I mean. There

are moments when you listen and you hear silence, the sound of her

voice, accompanied by piano and with no one else in the entire hall

making a sound, it is an experience like no other. The audience at the

Disney Hall knows how to respect and appreciate the music.

 

After intermission,

Maestro Duke strolls on to the stage. After once again the applause and

the silence you hear Munyungo with delicate percussion and the

beginning of George’s “Muir Woods Suite”. This piece of music is so

beautiful and has George’s signature all over it. Outstanding! Reuben

Rogers puts it down a solo so low and so sweet. The best I have ever

heard him play. Diane comes out and the blues begin. She sang and

everybody had rocks in their beds!

 

What an outstanding evening! I don’t think that the concert hall allows picture but, I got a few just for you!

 

Peace

 

LD