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Story and Photos by James Walker
Photos and Video of Audley Reid by Liz Hagen
Close Up II's 1st Annual 3-day Smooth Jazz Festival got off to a rousing start on Friday June 22nd, in the courtyard at Van Buren and State Streets, with saxman Audley Reid. Chicago is blessed with an array of exceptional reed players, and Audley holds his own with all of them.
It's difficult to comprehend why such an event had never taken place in Chicago, with the number of local and national smooth jazz performers that have been produced by this great city. Needless to say, proprietor Frank Goss and president Yon Kim had the foresight and willingness to put on such an event after opening their club at 416 S. Clark just seven months ago.
Back to Audley. He was joined on stage by Andre Henry at the keyboard, Will Howard on the bass, and Derrick Henderson at the drums. This writer has seen Derrick and Will performing throughout Chicago with other aggregates and as usual they were superb. Derrick is one of the few drummers in Chicago who often fronts his own band. This opening two hour set was smooth, while at the same time very explosive. Audley has the ability to get his message across in a manner unlike other reed players by simply playing. This afternoon's set was not an exception to this norm.
Audley was followed by a young sax player by the name of Marqueal Jordan. Although Marqueal was new to this writer, he definitely will be heard from in the future. He was accompanied on stage by some of Chicago's finest sidemen: Tim Grant on keys, Kahari Parker on drums, Junius Paul on bass guitar, and Scott Lett on guitar. This group did not disappoint. They put on an explosive set with each bandmate having plenty of opportunities to showcase their individual skills with appropriate solos. Jordan not only is an outstanding sax player, he also demonstrated his strong vocals on Donny Hathaway's “The Ghetto.” Jordan's selection of sidemen for this set also acknowledged his ability to recognize talent. Each of these men often lead their own band and can be seen throughout the area with some of the are's top jazz bands. They played everything from Dizzy Gillespie's “Night in Tunisia,” to James Brown's “Monorail.”
The early evening set was performed by none other than the incomparable Corey Wilkes and his Black Slang band. Those familiar with this writer knows his love and respect for this talented young man. Corey always brings his best. Although he experienced problems with the sound system during the set, this did not deter him from putting forth his best effort. Joining Corey on this set was his band of “usual suspects:” Jabari Liu on sax, Marcin Fahmy on keys, Anthony Capers at the drums and Frankie Blaze on bass.
Corey and Jabari shared the spotlight throughout this set in front of a very enthusiastic crowd. Corey has a large following and tonight was no exception. He was the perfect act to perform before tonight's headliner — guitarist Nick Colionne.
Concluding the 1st day of smooth jazz sounds was Chicago's own national recording star, Nick Colionne. On a national level, Nick's finally getting the respect and reputation that he has enjoyed in his hometown for years. Nick's bandmates tonight included Buddy Fambro on guitar, Tim Gant on keyboard, Chris Mistell on drums, John Biasucci on keyboards, and his longtime partner Dave Hiltebrand on bass. Nick rocked the house from start to finish. As is normal for Nick, he spent a lot of time interacting throughout the crowd on this overcast Chicago evening. Ironically, it was during his splendid rendition of Brook Benton's “Rainy Night in Georgia,” when it began to rain. Although it rained throughout the initial part of this set, this didn't dampen the enthusiasm of Nick's fans. Nick knows how to please and satisfy an audience, something he has done for years throughout Chicago before he became a national act.
Nick has never forgotten his Chicago roots. Nick's beautiful baritone sound was quite evident this evening, along with his smooth guitar playing. It must also be noted that throughout this hour-plus set, Nick often jammed on stage with Fambro and Hiltebrand. It was quite evident that Nick was having a good time. What a conclusion to an exciting first day of Close Up II's jazz festival, with Nick performing his top ten national hit “Always Thinking of You.” This recording brought recognition to Nick, as the “International Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year” by a Canadian smooth jazz radio station.
Although Nick's set concluded the outdoor portion of the festival, the “After Set” Jam session was taken back to the club, where Corey Wilkes and his group were the lead band. This set was exceptional, as it included jamming by saxophonists Marqueal Jordan and Rick Parma (scheduled artist for 2nd day), along with a highlighted guest appearance by none other than Chicago's own national star trumpet player, Maurice Brown. Maurice and Corey are lifelong friends and often sit in on each other's sets. Both were recently named among the top young jazz trumpet players by Downbeat magazine.
Maurice and Corey brought the house down with some powerful horn blowing. What a sight to see these young “giants” jamming the night away to conclude a very successful day of music. Day 2 and 3 promised to be more of the same.
(Day 2 – Did not attend, but featured Harlan Jefferson, Rick Parma, Skinny Williams and Frank Russell.)
Day 3 – 6/24/07
Detour — funk, R&B, jazz band, was the 2nd act of the final day. Detour is a well-established smooth jazz group, led by led guitar player/vocalist Phil Seed. Phil's bandmates this evening included Brian Danzy on keyboard, Ben “Jammin” Johnson on drums, and Kennery Smith on bass. They opened this set with an excelent cover of Al Jarreau's “Sad and So Distracted.” Seed also was brilliant on Bill Withers' “Use Me.”
This was possibly the highlight of their set. Seed also occasionally displayed his skill on the acoustic guitar. That's an instrument not often played in the Chicago jazz scene.
Keyboardist Brian Danzy was exemplary during this set. This talented young man also can be heard o Nick Colionne's “Just Come on In” Cd. One can catch this fine group performing at the Backroom in the Rush Street area, or Chicago's Legends in the South Loop.
The much anticipated “battle” between local saxophonist Ray Silkman and Chicago's contribution to the national scene, Steve Cole was approaching. The hardworking Silkman has a huge Chicago fan base, and on this night, he was at his best. He was accompanied by some of his longtime bandmates: Delby Littljohn on keys, Paul Richmond on bass, and John Epps on drums. Ray has played with this aggregate for several years and they really groove together. Ray started the set with a tribute to one of Chicago's finest saxmen, the late Art Porter. The highlight of this set, that brought the crowd to its feet, was Ray's “So Saxual.” This tune was written by keyboardist Delby Littlejohn. As Ray was heating things up, headliner Steve Cole arrived on the scene, and was observed enjoying this set. Ray was “raising the bar” to a level that Cole would have to bring his best game to match.
Basist Paul Richmonds solo on “I Like the Way You Move” was very well done, as was John Epps' drum solo on “The World is a Ghetto.” Overall, this ranks as one of the finest performances of the two days observed by this writer. Silkman can hold his own with any smooth jazz performers nationwide.
Finally, the headliner of the three days was ready to bring this 1st Smooth Jazz Festival to a close. Steve Cole did bring his “A” game, and obviously had not been intimidated by Silkman's perfromance. Cole is an established saxman with national following, and is a local favorite. The Narada recording star was joined on stage by Ralph Beerhorst on keys, LaMarr Jones on bass, Clyde Davis on drums and Jerry Johnson o guitar — all Chicago natives. The charismatic Cole spent much of the night perfroming songs fro his latest Cd — “Steve Cole True.” Included in this set was a song written in tribute to the late, great Curtis Mayfield, appropriately entitled “Curtis.” He also perfromed a song written in honor of his wife called “Letter to Laura.”
Throughout this final set, Cole could be seen moving all over the stage. He's really animated as he performs and plays to the audience. This talented saxman was more than worthy of the honor of closing this three-day festival. He held his own, and did not allow Chicago's talented groups to steal his thunder.
Finally, in closing, special recognition must be given to the hardest worker during the three days — the lovely and talented Mistress of Ceremony — “Miyanda.” Not only did she keep things moving at the festival, she also took on her familiar role of most charming bartender in Chicago, during the after set at the club each night. Also, Stage Manager Curtis, bartender Tommy and Security Chief Barrow are to be complimented — they were on the case day and night and did an outstanding job.
Again, thanks to Close Up II president Yon Kim and Manager Frank Goss for giving Chicago a first class smooth jazz festival. This was the first of its kind in Chicago, and this writer looks forward toward next year's festival. In the meantime, one can enjoy first class smooth jazz each and every Thrsday through Saturday at Close Up II, located at 416 S. Clark Street in Chicago. Check out their website - www.closeup2jazz.com for more information.
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