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Live Jazz at Creole Supper Club. Jazz continues to be a strong force in New York City, and for five years, Creole’s owner Kevin Walters, has brought fabulous jazz acts to Spanish Harlem. On the night of December 12, 2009, I went to Creole, and heard a group called Doug Carn and the Black Jazz Legacy Band, which featured vocalist Kathy Farmer. Creole has a full southern-style menu, and often hosts private parties in addition to its live music tradition. There was a birthday party in progress on this night, and the festive mood helped add to the holiday atmosphere. Cover charges vary from night to night, and well-known musicians sometimes stop in to jam with the house band.
Doug Carn, a pianist/arranger/lyricist, brought together a group of fine players to showcase his music: Duane Eubanks on trumpet; Stacey Dillard on tenor sax, and the Carter Brothers, Rashaan on bass and Russell on drums. They opened the set with an instrumental called “A Shade of Jade,” a hard-swinging number in the hard-bop tradition. Carn, originally from New York City, has lived in St. Augustine, Florida, most of his life.
Along with his wife Jean Carn, Doug made some famous albums back in the '70’s. Now, songstress and musician Kathy Farmer has stepped up to the plate to interpret the tunes.
They performed several of Doug’s arrangements at Creole, including “The Revelation” and “Acknowledgment” by Coltrane, “Contemplation” by McCoy Tyner and “Firm Roots” by Cedar Walton. Doug’s original lyrics were interpreted beautifully by Kathy, who travels all over the world performing (she just came back from a 4-month tour in Vietnam).
I was reminded of the freedom music had in the '60’s and '70’s. The horn players took extended solos (Kathy’s scat solos included), but always followed the form of the written arrangements, which were well-organized. Doug Carn has made a triumphant return.
And by the way, let’s make Creole a destination for jazz lovers!
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Pick of the week
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This week, our Cabaret Pick is Elizabeth Sullivan on Sunday. She’s a lady who celebrates her birthday during this week, too (May 22). She’s a graceful, dignified, full-of-heart performer and a thoughtful, artful songwriter who does not shy away from real feelings. Whenever I see her perform, it’s a tenderly tendered mix of smile-inducers and tear duct activation.
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