Jazz In The City Concert Series

Jackson Street Music Program
and 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ
Welcomed singer & actress
ANGIE STONE
With Special Guest
EVERETTE HARP

Benaroya Hall – September 8, 2006

Reviewed By Scott Nakatani

Soaking up the ambiance before the show in the elegant lobby of Seattle’s Benaroya Hall; I couldn’t help but notice the cross-section and diverse crowd that had gathered for this evening of music, from the dapperly dressed folks sipping on cocktails in the Courvoisier Lounge, to the young Hip Hop connoisseurs dressed in their finest. This was a place to be seen… along with some great music to be heard. First to be seen and heard on stage was the larger-than-life smooth/R&B saxophonist Everette Harp. Wearing a bright blue long sleeve shirt and black slacks, Everette gave a “What’s Up Se…attle!” and the party began. Doing a smartly paced 63-minute 7-song set, Everette and his band entertained the crowd with their great playing along with Everette’s good-humored banter. Everette was in fine form switching from alto to soprano saxophone throughout his set. On the song written for his daughter “Perfect Day (Tessa’s Smile)” he even managed to showcase his talent on the whimsical timbre EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) – much to the crowds delight. Also delighting the crowd was when Everette gave a few of his talented band members an opportunity to stretch. In particular the talented Darrell Crooks on guitar. In which Everette called Darrell a fine example of “Great things that come in small packages!” Along with his infectious smile and playing Darrell also entertained the crowd with his coat-hanger moonwalk moves on stage. Everette’s other talented band members consisted of Rayford Griffin (drums), Charles Love (keyboards – stage left), Kevin Wyatt (bass), and Hans Zermuehlen (keyboards – stage right). The highlight of Everette’s set was the song “I’m Sorry” off his 1994 “Common Ground” release. His heartfelt intro speech to the song along with his poignant playing and singing took this song over the top. So much so that it had an audience member shouting – “That’s the new Luther (Vandross)!” Although judging by the flashbulbs going off, the female members of the audience might argue that the highlight in Everette’s set was when he took off his shirt, revealing his black tank top and well-sculptured physique. At the end of his set, Everette and his band exited the stage to a rousing standing ovation. After a brief intermission, neo-soul singer and actress Angie Stone (born Angela Laverne Brown) was up next. Having just come from opening up for James Brown at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA., Angie admitted to the crowd she was suffering from what she called “A crazy sinus infection – but by the grace of god and good doctors I’m able to stand and perform for you this evening.” Although she may have not felt well she at least looked good (Angie can be currently seen on the fourth season of the VH1 reality show “Celebrity Fit Club”). Wearing chiffon colored jewel embedded caftan and jewel embedded blue jeans, Angie took to the stage accompanied by a standing ovation. Doing a fast-paced energetic 68-minute 13-song set, Angie and her band highlighted her set list with selections dealing with the emotions of being a woman (i.e. “Brotha”, “No More Rain”, “Pissed Off”, and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”). Like Everette Harp, Angie also gave a few of her talented band members an opportunity to stretch. Particularly two of her background vocalists Thomas Seabrook and Tony Grant. Both of them literally stretched their bodies and vocals around her in a battle for her attention and affection on the songs “Stay For A While” and “My Man.” The rest of Angie’s crew consisted of Scott Bard-Mansur (background vocalist), Errol Cooney (guitar), John McVicker (drums), Travis Sayles (keyboards), and Timothy Williams (bass). The highlight of Angie’s set was when she invited ten talented kids to join her on stage from the Jackson Street Music Program (Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center). Unrehearsed and paired into couples they choreographed a show-stopping dance routine to Angie singing her song “Brotha.” So impressed was Angie that she commented after their performance “I’m going to adopt them all so they can all be mine!” Taking her band members completely by surprise Angie threw in a couple of gospel numbers at the end of her set. With the audience members on their feet, Angie’s set ended by turning Benaroya Hall into an impromptu Sunday church like atmosphere. My only disappointment during the concert was the sound quality during Angie Stone’s performance left a bit to be desired. Angie’s words were often lost in Benaroya Hall’s acoustics sounding muddy. Everette Harp’s set on the other hand, had no problems with having their music flow through the auditorium. Undoubtedly it was the fact that Everette had a sound engineer from Earth, Wind & Fire working his boards and Angie’s sound engineer was as experienced in this type of music hall and could of taken a few lessons from Everette’s sound guy. Speaking of lessons, Angie Stone and Everette Harp graciously had a meet and greet with around 30 kids from the Jackson Street Music Program after their respective sound-checks. The kids had the opportunity to ask questions of the artists about the music business (and in Angie’s case also about show business) and pretty much anything that popped into their minds. Angie spoke of the lessons she’s learned along the way, such as “First and foremost you need to feel good in your own skin. —on the inside and outside.”, or “When someone tells you no it doesn’t mean it’s over”. She also talked about her early inspirations (Michael Jackson, The Jackson Five, Al Green), current inspirations (Beyonce), and told the kids that award shows are boring. You would also think these kids would be a little nervous meeting the artists not the other way around. After his meet and greet with the kids Everette spoke of how sometimes he’s a little nervous speaking to kids. For example, when talking about certain artist he’s worked with, he’s worried that some kid might answer, “I never heard of that artist but my grandmother has.” Everette goes on to state, “All I can be is a 100% honest in all my answers to these kids and hope it all works out.” At the standing room only after-concert event hosted by X-104 FM, along with some of her band members, Angie Stone made a surprise midnight appearance mingling and dancing on the dance floor with all in attendance. She happily posed for a few pictures, signed a few autographs, and stayed till the bitter end. Being a single guy, I couldn’t help but also notice that the ratio of single girls to single guys was about 2 to 1 at the after-concert event… all in all it was a great evening.


Jackson Street Music Program and 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ Welcomed singer & actress ANGIE STONE With Special Guest EVERETTE HARP Benaroya Hall – September 8, 2006 Reviewed By Scott Nakatani Soaking up the ambiance before the show in the elegant lobby of Seattle’s Benaroya Hall; I couldn’t help but notice the cross-section and diverse crowd that had gathered for this evening of music, from the dapperly dressed folks sipping on cocktails in the Courvoisier Lounge, to the young Hip Hop connoisseurs dressed in their finest. This was a place to be seen… along with some great music to be heard. First to be seen and heard on stage was the larger-than-life smooth/R&B saxophonist Everette Harp. Wearing a bright blue long sleeve shirt and black slacks, Everette gave a “What’s Up Se…attle!” and the party began. Doing a smartly paced 63-minute 7-song set, Everette and his band entertained the crowd with their great playing along with Everette’s good-humored banter. Everette was in fine form switching from alto to soprano saxophone throughout his set. On the song written for his daughter “Perfect Day (Tessa’s Smile)” he even managed to showcase his talent on the whimsical timbre EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) – much to the crowds delight. Also delighting the crowd was when Everette gave a few of his talented band members an opportunity to stretch. In particular the talented Darrell Crooks on guitar. In which Everette called Darrell a fine example of “Great things that come in small packages!” Along with his infectious smile and playing Darrell also entertained the crowd with his coat-hanger moonwalk moves on stage. Everette’s other talented band members consisted of Rayford Griffin (drums), Charles Love (keyboards – stage left), Kevin Wyatt (bass), and Hans Zermuehlen (keyboards – stage right). The highlight of Everette’s set was the song “I’m Sorry” off his 1994 “Common Ground” release. His heartfelt intro speech to the song along with his poignant playing and singing took this song over the top. So much so that it had an audience member shouting – “That’s the new Luther (Vandross)!” Although judging by the flashbulbs going off, the female members of the audience might argue that the highlight in Everette’s set was when he took off his shirt, revealing his black tank top and well-sculptured physique. At the end of his set, Everette and his band exited the stage to a rousing standing ovation. After a brief intermission, neo-soul singer and actress Angie Stone (born Angela Laverne Brown) was up next. Having just come from opening up for James Brown at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA., Angie admitted to the crowd she was suffering from what she called “A crazy sinus infection – but by the grace of god and good doctors I’m able to stand and perform for you this evening.” Although she may have not felt well she at least looked good (Angie can be currently seen on the fourth season of the VH1 reality show “Celebrity Fit Club”). Wearing chiffon colored jewel embedded caftan and jewel embedded blue jeans, Angie took to the stage accompanied by a standing ovation. Doing a fast-paced energetic 68-minute 13-song set, Angie and her band highlighted her set list with selections dealing with the emotions of being a woman (i.e. “Brotha”, “No More Rain”, “Pissed Off”, and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”). Like Everette Harp, Angie also gave a few of her talented band members an opportunity to stretch. Particularly two of her background vocalists Thomas Seabrook and Tony Grant. Both of them literally stretched their bodies and vocals around her in a battle for her attention and affection on the songs “Stay For A While” and “My Man.” The rest of Angie’s crew consisted of Scott Bard-Mansur (background vocalist), Errol Cooney (guitar), John McVicker (drums), Travis Sayles (keyboards), and Timothy Williams (bass). The highlight of Angie’s set was when she invited ten talented kids to join her on stage from the Jackson Street Music Program (Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center). Unrehearsed and paired into couples they choreographed a show-stopping dance routine to Angie singing her song “Brotha.” So impressed was Angie that she commented after their performance “I’m going to adopt them all so they can all be mine!” Taking her band members completely by surprise Angie threw in a couple of gospel numbers at the end of her set. With the audience members on their feet, Angie’s set ended by turning Benaroya Hall into an impromptu Sunday church like atmosphere. My only disappointment during the concert was the sound quality during Angie Stone’s performance left a bit to be desired. Angie’s words were often lost in Benaroya Hall’s acoustics sounding muddy. Everette Harp’s set on the other hand, had no problems with having their music flow through the auditorium. Undoubtedly it was the fact that Everette had a sound engineer from Earth, Wind & Fire working his boards and Angie’s sound engineer was as experienced in this type of music hall and could of taken a few lessons from Everette’s sound guy. Speaking of lessons, Angie Stone and Everette Harp graciously had a meet and greet with around 30 kids from the Jackson Street Music Program after their respective sound-checks. The kids had the opportunity to ask questions of the artists about the music business (and in Angie’s case also about show business) and pretty much anything that popped into their minds. Angie spoke of the lessons she’s learned along the way, such as “First and foremost you need to feel good in your own skin. —on the inside and outside.”, or “When someone tells you no it doesn’t mean it’s over”. She also talked about her early inspirations (Michael Jackson, The Jackson Five, Al Green), current inspirations (Beyonce), and told the kids that award shows are boring. You would also think these kids would be a little nervous meeting the artists not the other way around. After his meet and greet with the kids Everette spoke of how sometimes he’s a little nervous speaking to kids. For example, when talking about certain artist he’s worked with, he’s worried that some kid might answer, “I never heard of that artist but my grandmother has.” Everette goes on to state, “All I can be is a 100% honest in all my answers to these kids and hope it all works out.” At the standing room only after-concert event hosted by X-104 FM, along with some of her band members, Angie Stone made a surprise midnight appearance mingling and dancing on the dance floor with all in attendance. She happily posed for a few pictures, signed a few autographs, and stayed till the bitter end. Being a single guy, I couldn’t help but also notice that the ratio of single girls to single guys was about 2 to 1 at the after-concert event… all in all it was a great evening.
Reviews:
Read Scott Nakatani's Review of: Guitars & Sax - October 29th Pieces of a Dream & Joyce Cooling - May 27th Joe Sample & Lalah Hathaway - March 19th
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