Article by Regine Rousseau

Photo by Mo Sweets

John Moultrie has done it again! Wednesday night, at the Jazz Showcase (www.JazzShowcase.com), Moultrie presented an outstanding show featuring saxophonist Glenn Burris and vocalist Joan Collaso in a tribute to legendary tenor saxophonist, Dexter Gordon. Moultrie’s recent Jazz Oasis 20 year revival, at Rhumba, left his former patrons hungry for more jazz John Moultrie style, and wednesday nigh we feasted on a quartet of jazz goodness.

Glen “the Great” Burris was accompanied by the seductive Josh Ramos on bass, Butame “beat man”on drums, George “tickle my ivory” Spero on the piano and Walter “Wow” Henderson on trumpet. Vocalist Joan Collaso, whose voice slices through the soul like sunshine through stormy clouds, lifted this heaven sent ensemble.

I walked in on their rendition of Dexter Gordon’s, “Round Midnight,” and it was as if I’d heard it for the first time. They kept Gordon’s soul, and added their own magic, breathing new life into the piece.

Towards the end of the first set Joan Collasso brought the show to its climax with an edgy and soulful interpretation of “my favorite things.”

At intermission, I had a chance to mingle with a racially diverse crowd of young and old. I was surprised that the majority of the people I spoke to were new comers to the Jazz Showcase, the second oldest Jazz Club in the U.S. That’s the power of a John Moultrie production, he is able to attract jazz novice and aficionados alike.

John Moultrie’s next event is Friday March 18 at the Sofitel Hotel featuring Jazz artist De’Sean Jones Quintet and the works of photographer Farrad Ali. The event is from 5:00 PM to Midnight – NO COVER. For more information on John Moultrie events go to www.iRockJazz.com or friend John Moultrie on Facebook.

Photo by Mo Sweets

Photo by Mo Sweets

Photo by Mo Sweets