JAM: October/November 2006 Issue: Feature Story

It was a magical evening – the kind of celebration usually missed by the honoree; an event that often happens after one is gone rather than on hand to enjoy and appreciate the accolades. Not this time. The time was right and “Save That Time” we did. The reference, of course, is to one of the many gorgeous songs written by incomparable pianist/composer/arranger/singer Russ Long, whose Tribute took place at Jardine's on August 6 th . The idea was hatched by cornetist Gary Sivils and bassist Gerald Spaits, Long-time associates who decided that the participants should be those who had worked closely with Russ – fellow composers, singers, musicians. Of course, if everyone who'd ever played/sung/written with Long had been invited on stage, we'd still be there holding forth. Choices were made and plans began to take form. All of the rehearsals were held at Gerald and Leslie's home; we would run into each other as we came and went, and everyone was delighted to be a part of this long-overdue homage (a true check-your-ego-at-the-door gathering). When zero hour finally rolled ‘round we were as excited as if we were playing the Palladium and, indeed, we were surrounded by the kings and queens of our profession...top tier musicians, singers, fans, friends, family – SRO, the room was bulging at the seams. As for the featured guests, Gerald, Paul Smith , and alternating drummers Ray DeMarchi and Tommy Ruskin comprised the superb rhythm section; Gary lent his mellow sound to several tunes and doubled as master of ceremonies; four fabulous horns – Charles Perkins (woodwinds), Stan Kessler (trumpet), Dave Chael (tenor), and legendary Arch Martin (trombone) formed the line that sanctified Spait's arrangements of Long's compositions “E-Train,” “Slidin',” “Can City,” “Spider,” “Meat Loaf,” and “Parallel.” Kessler also blew away “ Woodland Park ,” and “Shoemaker” – and Perkins killed with “Bebedo” and “Minor Poet.” Note: If errors are found in the aforementioned tune list, blame my archivist, Pauline. We were blessed to have both Karrin Allyson and Marilyn Maye in town to lend their stellar chops to the occasion, Allyson wooing with “I Didn't Know About You” (a selection which bore Russ's accompaniment on her first CD) and Maye wowing with a clever medley – “I Love You” and “All of You,” the latter infused with special lyrics apropos of The Man and his Music. She closed with a tender “Never Let Me Go.” Julie Turner, whose symbiotic relationship with Russ covers several years and incarnations, also sang her fanny off via the aforementioned “Save That Time,” and “Keep the Legend Alive.” I delivered a couple of songs Russ and I wrote back in the 70's – “I Remember,” and “I Need Your Love.” As the evening drew to a close, our indomitable guest of honor yielded to incessant thunderous applause and, unencumbered by his oxygen purveyance, ascended the stage where he proceeded to dazzle us with “ Kidney Stew,” “How Did we Get Out Here?,” “Fool's Paradise,” and “Anytime, Anywhere.” Cue the carpenters – the rafters are destined to disengage. Although every artist in attendance would love to have participated, each seemed to understand that this was a Tribute not a session, and that their presence was an integral part of the encomium; everything and everyone coalesced to provide our guest of honor a glimpse of the incalculable love and respect he and his music evoke. Times like these remind me of how much I love our jazz community. People like the Jazz Ambassadors, who work so hard to keep the art/artist visible and viable; the superlatively talented musicians/singers/composers/arrangers; the joints and yes, the joint owners; the aficionados who are so loyal, generous, supportive, downright sweet; our city, about which we complain – but it's just small enough to make an event like this special to all who were privileged to be present, and just big enough for our entertainers to realize that they can – and do – hold their own with anyone, anywhere, anytime. So say we all.






	Search our site:		It was a magical evening – the kind of celebration usually missed by the honoree; an event that often happens after one is gone rather than on hand to enjoy and appreciate the accolades. Not this time. The time was right and “Save That Time” we did. The reference, of course, is to one of the many gorgeous songs written by incomparable pianist/composer/arranger/singer Russ Long, whose Tribute took place at Jardine's on August 6 th . The idea was hatched by cornetist Gary Sivils and bassist Gerald Spaits, Long-time associates who decided that the participants should be those who had worked closely with Russ – fellow composers, singers, musicians. Of course, if everyone who'd ever played/sung/written with Long had been invited on stage, we'd still be there holding forth. Choices were made and plans began to take form. All of the rehearsals were held at Gerald and Leslie's home; we would run into each other as we came and went, and everyone was delighted to be a part of this long-overdue homage (a true check-your-ego-at-the-door gathering). When zero hour finally rolled ‘round we were as excited as if we were playing the Palladium and, indeed, we were surrounded by the kings and queens of our profession...top tier musicians, singers, fans, friends, family – SRO, the room was bulging at the seams. As for the featured guests, Gerald, Paul Smith , and alternating drummers Ray DeMarchi and Tommy Ruskin comprised the superb rhythm section; Gary lent his mellow sound to several tunes and doubled as master of ceremonies; four fabulous horns – Charles Perkins (woodwinds), Stan Kessler (trumpet), Dave Chael (tenor), and legendary Arch Martin (trombone) formed the line that sanctified Spait's arrangements of Long's compositions “E-Train,” “Slidin',” “Can City,” “Spider,” “Meat Loaf,” and “Parallel.” Kessler also blew away “ Woodland Park ,” and “Shoemaker” – and Perkins killed with “Bebedo” and “Minor Poet.” Note: If errors are found in the aforementioned tune list, blame my archivist, Pauline. We were blessed to have both Karrin Allyson and Marilyn Maye in town to lend their stellar chops to the occasion, Allyson wooing with “I Didn't Know About You” (a selection which bore Russ's accompaniment on her first CD) and Maye wowing with a clever medley – “I Love You” and “All of You,” the latter infused with special lyrics apropos of The Man and his Music. She closed with a tender “Never Let Me Go.” Julie Turner, whose symbiotic relationship with Russ covers several years and incarnations, also sang her fanny off via the aforementioned “Save That Time,” and “Keep the Legend Alive.” I delivered a couple of songs Russ and I wrote back in the 70's – “I Remember,” and “I Need Your Love.” As the evening drew to a close, our indomitable guest of honor yielded to incessant thunderous applause and, unencumbered by his oxygen purveyance, ascended the stage where he proceeded to dazzle us with “ Kidney Stew,” “How Did we Get Out Here?,” “Fool's Paradise,” and “Anytime, Anywhere.” Cue the carpenters – the rafters are destined to disengage. Although every artist in attendance would love to have participated, each seemed to understand that this was a Tribute not a session, and that their presence was an integral part of the encomium; everything and everyone coalesced to provide our guest of honor a glimpse of the incalculable love and respect he and his music evoke. Times like these remind me of how much I love our jazz community. People like the Jazz Ambassadors, who work so hard to keep the art/artist visible and viable; the superlatively talented musicians/singers/composers/arrangers; the joints and yes, the joint owners; the aficionados who are so loyal, generous, supportive, downright sweet; our city, about which we complain – but it's just small enough to make an event like this special to all who were privileged to be present, and just big enough for our entertainers to realize that they can – and do – hold their own with anyone, anywhere, anytime. So say we all. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2006. All rights reserved.