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[Concert Review By Dick Marsho] The House Band started off our February program with “Red Top”, which was first released by Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra in 1947. David Hoffman got things moving with a real swinging trumpet solo. Nathan See, making his first appearance with the House Band, followed with a fine alto sax solo. Nathan is a sophomore at Pekin Community High School and plays at a skill level well beyond his years. Billy Cook did his guitar solo turn with those rich chords that he creates. Aaron Miller (electric bass) kept things moving with his solo. Jeff Greeneberg (drums) also got his lick at a solo as the House Band completed their rounds. Jeff pulled “double duty”, since he later was also the drummer for the Brian Choban Jazz Quintet.
David switched to his flugelhorn with a very upbeat intro to “There Will Never Be Another You”. Billy and Nathan each contributed nicely to this popular song from back in the 1940’s. Nathan was the featured soloist on “Song for My Father”, by Horace Silver. This song brought a special meaning on this evening, with the passing of Larry’s father. David slipped over to the keyboard for some intriguing chords, while Billy mixed the chords and melody line with a fine blend of sounds on his guitar. Aaron contributed a moving bass solo to the mix. David finished up with his trumpet, while Jeff held the rhythm skillfully with his drum set.
It was time for Sam Hartley to join the House Band for a couple of vocal pieces. He started with an old familiar tune (for those of us that have been around for a while) “Darling Jevosais Bouqoui”, while Dad Billy strummed some soft chords in the background. He followed by styling a pop song from the past into a nice jazz version, “Love Potion Number Nine”. Nathan also ran a fine solo on this tune. Sam did a nice job of adding a jazz touch to this piece. He wrapped up his vocal set with “Pennies from Heaven”, with some vocal backup from the “boys in the band” and the usual creative solo from David. Remember, Sam is only a junior at Peoria Richwoods High School and we were glad to welcome him back to the Jazz Society – please come again, Sam.
The House Band closed out their set with John Coltrane’s “Impressions” – for the real jazz lovers…and this one moves. David started on the keyboard. Nathan took the role of Coltrane and set things on fire from the start. David had a humming solo, followed by Billy. Jeff still had some left in his tank and many thanks to him for helping the House Band on drums. Thanks to David Hoffman for leading the House Band in another great night for the fortunate Jazz Fans of Central Illinois.
The Brian Choban Jazz Quintet kicked off their set with the lively “Lady Bird”. Brian Choban started off on flugelhorn, while Bruce Lane provided solos on both the bass trumpet and keyboard. The bass trumpet is not seen often, but creates a sound similar to the valve trombone.
“Havana Strut”, by the Brazilian composer/arranger Eumir Deodato, was their next tune, with Tom Fatten laying down a soothing Latin rhythm on his electric bass. Tom’s solo had a lot of the feel of Santana to it…a very swaying sound. Bruce used the full keyboard on his en ergetic solo. “Perdido” followed with Bruce leading off with a bass trumpet solo. This jazz tune was recorded by Duke Ellington in 1941 and was composed by Juan Tizol. Brian moved to the trumpet on this one, while Tom switched to the standup bass. Brian was featured on trumpet to “I Remember Clifford”, a tune written by Benny Golson to honor Clifford Brown, after his untimely death in an auto accident at the age of 25. The varied rhythms created interest in this piece, which can evoke many feelings, based upon the history behind the music.
Next was “Samba D’Loves You”, arranged by Tom Fatten, based on a song that he heard on the radio. Brian provided a solo and Bruce was on bass trumpet for this interesting tune. Brian recreated the sounds of the 1930’s with an old-time mute for his trumpet and some fancy fingering to “My Baby Just Cares for Me”. Larry Park also built a nice flowing guitar solo within this old song. Tom also arranged “’Round Midnight”, as composed by Thelonious Monk and based on a vocal version by Kenny Rankin. This had a Latin touch to it. Jeff provided a soothing rhythm throughout, along with the mellow sounds of Brian’s flugelhorn. The whole song had a very nice flow to it. Stanley Turentine’s “Straight Ahead” followed, with Brian on flugelhorn and Tom on electric bass. Larry was featured on a Wes Montgomery tune – “A Little Bumpin’”. He set the flowing pattern very nicely to this one, while Jeff laid down the catchy rhythm with his drum set.
It was time for some straight-ahead jazz with “Four”, by Miles Davis. The pace picked up with Bruce lighting up his bass trumpet and Brian kicking up his trumpet. Tom was back on his standup bass. They closed out the night with “Blues Walk”. Brian was back with his trumpet, while Bruce created a real blues sound with his bass trumpet solo. Jeff still had some gas in his tank for a solo, after a full night of providing rhythm for this group and the House Band. Throughout the evening, three of these musicians each played two different instruments. This provided for a wide range of sounds and styles of music. Great job Brian and the Brian Choban Jazz Quintet.
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