Improvisations on Reality

The Spirit Cruises continue, in the sticky, 100+ degree climate of New York, which has now resolved into intolerable grossness of 88 degrees at 100% humidity. I feel my skin sticking to, well, my skin. But I strongly digress.

This is now the second cruise of the series, and it is a small celebration: my introduction to the Spirit Cruises had taken place exactly one year ago, to this very band. The scions of the jazz fusion movement, known well by jazz aficionados and non-jazz music fans alike: Spyro Gyra.

My connection to Spyro goes back to CD 101.9, and more recently, via my friend and graphic-design client John Favicchia, a friend of Jay Beckenstein. And the very first time I went to a Spyro show was on the Spirit Cruises, at this time last year.

This was also my discovery that yes, NY has a smooth jazz season, and July and August are it.

Of course, I had to go on this boat, and a good thing I booked in advance. The line on the pier was, quite literally, around the corner. Just like last year, the ship had sold out, and I was only too happy (take that, ClearChannel).

*ahem*

Jay Beckenstein’s playlist this time featured mostly music from Down the Wire, showing off Tom Schuman, Scott Ambush and Bonny B.’s contributions to the CD. Scott’s  bandleading chops on the title track were every bit as strong as that of Rufus Philpot from last week’s Down to the Bone show, but unlike DTTB (which leads with the bass), Spyro involves the entire band regardless of who writes the music. Julio Fernandez joined in on the electric and Jay Beckenstein trod on the alto sax right along with them for a harmony that I can only constitute as permeating. Something about the way it was played reached at me in a way that few songs can. The same is easily said for Julio Fernandez’s track, Unspoken, which does tribute to Julio’s Cuban roots, and is a firm reminder of Why I Love My Guitars.

Bonny B’s composition on Ice Mountain left me with the impression that it’s a little more straight-ahead style than what the SG style normally is. I cannot say I don’t like it – it is rather key-driven, which I generally enjoy, and Tom Schuman is a must-see for keyboard/piano fans. However, it was a bit out of the blue.

Then again, it’s Bonny B, who segued out of Ice Mountain and straight into a drum solo, during which the guys departed the stage to let him show his handiwork (literally). Now that drum solo, ladies and gents, is skill. I should also note that Bonny B has a nearly limitless vocal versatility, and in past shows had gone through Michael Jackson, James Brown, Shaggy and Ray Charles impressions in no less than 5 minutes, without once missing a beat, and pitch-perfect. It never fails to surprise me, and never fails to fill a dance floor.

Which, of course, makes me wonder about space management in the Blue Note, because between the Fourplay show, Spyro, and the upcoming Chuck Mangione (which I am crossing everything crossable, including eyeballs, to go to), they could do well with a dance floor.

Again, I digress.

While the ship exploded in cheers at the wrap-up of the show, Jay and the guys were not yet done and encored their performance with something that I will wholeheartedly admit that I use as my alarm clock song from time to time. My iPod is set to play a very specific playlist as a Wakeup Call, and this is my favorite sunny-morning wakeup song.

And in case you haven’t guessed it…here it is :)

With special thanks to my cousin T. who was the token photographer for this show (because foolish me forgot my camera! *cringe*), and Ken Levinson, who made my cousin’s attendance possible, and of course to Jay Beckenstein, Tom Schuman, Scott Ambush, Julio Fernandez and Bonny B.

K.G.