Johnny Morris is Back At Backstreet Bistro on Mondays

There is good news for all lovers of great piano music and the best songs from the "Great American Songbook". Johnny Morris has started his 3rd season at Backstreet Bistro and plays from 6:00 to 9:00 every Monday night.  Johnny Morris is highly respected by all of the best musicians in California and for good reason.  He can play everything from accompanying vocalists or leading a swinging band or Dixieland band.  But I think Johnny is at his best playing and singing the great songs from the "Great American Songbook".  Tonight was Johnny's season opening Monday night at Backstreet Bistro and the outside terrace was crowded with fans who love the music Johnny plays and sings.  Johnny has one of the best musical memories of any performer I have seen. During his performance, he repeatedly asks the audience for requests and without hesitation plays the tune without reference to any sheet music.  But what is even more impressive is that Johnny can sing the lyrics of these songs without hesitation!  Johnny Morris is a polished professional performer but his mastery of the piano did not come over night.   Johnny has spent his entire adult life honing his musical skills.  During his career, he was musical director and played with Kai Winding regularly at the New York Playboy Club.  He also toured with the Buddy Rich quintet traveling around the world including Brazil, the Far East and India.

The setting at Backstreet Bistro could not be better.  Having dinner outside on the Terrace with Johnny at the Keyboard ten feet away playing some of your favorite songs is priceless.  And the food and service at Backstreet is also tops!  

For your listening enjoyment, I have found a "YouTube" video of the Buddy Rich Quintet playing "B.R. Blues" with Johnny Morris on Piano.

The Dave Lalama Big Band: CD Review

Dr. Dave Lalama is currently Professor of Music at Hofstra University and is a founding faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Program. He received his doctorate in music composition from New York University and is an active clinician and performer throughout the US. He has performed and recorded with Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, amoung numerous other Jazz artists.

The Hofstra Project was developed by Dr. Lalama as a tribute to the hundreds of students, faculty colleagues and guest artists he has been associated over the years at Hofstra University.

According to Dr. Lalama, "The music present here has been chosen to embody the past 28 years of Jazz Art Music-making that attempts to strike a healthy balance between ensemble discipline and improvisational freedom". The result in my opinion is that Mr. Lalama has achieved his objective perfectly.  The charts are great, the arrangements are new and fresh and the musicians are precise and, yet, free to express themselves within this musical environment.

In my opinion, "The Hofstra Project" played by The Dave Lalama Big Band is the best big band CD I have heard in years!  This CD was released on February 26, 2013 and I know that my "Big Band" followers will flip when they hear this great band! If you only buy one big band CD this year, this CD should be the one you buy!