B 3 Kings, December 22, 23, 2007, The Cellar Restaurant / Jazz Bar
Tenor
saxophonist Cory Weeds is one of the most successful jazz
artists/entrepreneurs on the Canadian music scene. He is one of the owners
behind the The Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club, on West Broadway in Vancouver,
Canada, owns the record label Cellar Live, which has more than forty
titles in its catalogue, and possesses a roster of exciting young jazz
artists. The affable Weeds is also well respected as a musician. On December
21st and 22nd, Weeds was joined on stage at the
Vancouver venue, by drummer/vocalist Denzal Sinclaire, electric guitarist Bill
Coon, and organist Chris Gestrin, collectively better known as the B 3 Kings.
The two evening gig, were the last two performances on a nine city tour.
Before diving into an array of Christmas classics set to jazz arrangements, the band opened with a cover of the hard bop, “Moanin’,” originally performed and recorded by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. As he would throughout the evening Gestrin served up an evocative organ solo and Weeds countered with a stirring solo on his horn. In between the two artists engaged in an instrumental call and response.
Gestrin, playing in his socks, laid down a deep, dark purple groove for “Christmas Dreaming,” (Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr.), Sinclaire’s smooth vocals were at their usual spellbinding best. In fact more than once during the evening, Weeds joked good naturedly as to how, yes indeed there were other artists performing that evening besides Sinclaire, a testament to the drummer’s popularity among jazz fans. Coon served up some delicious, mellow licks on his guitar.
The ensemble presented a reverent version of “Little Drummer Boy,” which once again featured Sinclaire’s clear, rich vocals, while he played his drums and cymbals softly using only brushes. Weeds, Coon and Gestrin gently accompanied Sinclaire.
At the other end of the tempo, we listened to a straight ahead jazz rendition of “Jingle Bells,” and a lively version of “Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas,” which featured a high tempo sax solo by Weeds, who also elicited a vibrato voice from his instrument.
The rest of the evening once again featured many memorable Christmas favorites set to jazz arrangements, and the audience expressed their appreciation following the numerous solos.
Riveting Riffs wishes to thank the management of The Cellar Restaurant / Jazz Club for making it possible for Riveting Riffs to review this concert
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Reviewed December 23rd, 2007
