Bethany Pickens

Room 43, Sunday, November 15, 2009

Bethany Pickens

Story and Photos by James Walker

It's always interesting to revisit an artist who one hasn't seen perform for quite awhile, as was the case with Bethany Pickens who performed for the Hyde Park Jazz Society at Room 43 on November 15th. Bethany continues to "grow" as an artist and has garnered quite a bit of notoriety as a result of her critically acclaimed CD, "Bethany". She was joined on stage by drummer Vern Allison,(drummer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame R&B group "The Dells"), and bassist Junius Paul.

Although this listener was able to only stay for the first set , they offered listeners a nicely varied program and it was very well done.They included several numbers from the above mentioned CD. Such songs included "Seven Questions", and "Brazilian Breeze", which concluded the first set. This is a beautiful piece which puts one in the mood of lying on a sun filled beach on a lovely summer day. Arguably, this is one of the finest numbers on the CD.

Bethany primarily performed "straight ahead" selections with the exception of an "old school" funky Ronnie Laws number entitled "Friends and Strangers", and "Praise God from Who My Blessings Flow". Other numbers included "Something You Said","There is no Greater Love","Straight Ahead", and "New Day"(new original). "Praise God From Who My Blessings Flow" was dedicated to her parents, the legendary Chicago pianist Willie and Irma Pickens, who recently celebrated their 50Th wedding anniversary. That truly is a blessing. Bassist Junius Paul really made the upright "sing" on this number. Junius is also one of Chicago's rising stars and performs both locally and internationally with some of the best.

Bethany also stood out on ..."Greater Love" and "7 Questions". Allison, solid throughout, enjoyed his finest moment on "Greater Love". He never overplays, but maintains the time like it's second nature.

Hyde Park Jazz Society continues to sponsor outstanding sets each Sunday evening with reediest, Eric Schneider providing the music for a night of tributes to trumpeter Art Hoyle and radio personality Cliff Kelley next Sunday, November 29th.

For detailed information about future Hyde Park Jazz Society's events, refer to their website at www.hydeparkjazzsociety.org.