By photojournalist Jeffrey Moellering
Friday, July 18th kicked off Clearwater’s 3rd annual Smooth Jazz Jam at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The evening boasted a 4-hour billing with three acts, starting off with renowned British jazz guitarist Peter White, who notably played with pop star Al Stewart for many years and has had a successful solo career besides. Veteran soul/R&B singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson was the middle act, and the evening finale featured jazz sax icon Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns.
Acoustic jazz guitarist Peter White kicked the evening into gear at an early 7 pm start time, to accommodate the star laden billing. White breezed through nearly an hour of compositions from his new album “Light of Day” along with medleys and popular songs performed in a very lyrical and accessible style. While he’s squarely on smooth jazz ground, it’s clear that the man is a consummate pro, and he made it look easy as an entertainer who knows how to capture the audience, bringing the right amount of toe-tapping and singalong charm, along with moments of sheer virtuosity. His backing band did a fine job and provided a very active, engaging and fun-spirited performance, with plenty of flair and panache. White is definitely an act that can command your attention and respect.
After a short break, soul singer Peabo Bryson took the stage and quickly had the crowd swooning to his beautiful melodies. Bryson was accompanied by two fine lady singers who were absolutely mesmerizing, with stunning arrangements and harmonies during some of the greatest soul songs from the past 50 years. The sonorous sounds wafted throughout the hall like a heavenly recording studio, it was so crystal clear and enchanting. I’ve seen literally hundreds of acts at Ruth Eckerd over the span of the past 30 plus years, and I’d never heard anything quite that captivating. Bryson knows how to tug at both your heartstrings and funny bone, interspersing bittersweet quips about the joys and sorrows of lost love, at one point roaming through the audience and singing cheek to cheek with ladies who recited every word. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house when Peabo sauntered into his biggest 1983 hit with Roberta Flack, “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”, as Flack was a frequent entertainer at Ruth Eckerd for many years, who sadly passed early this year. It was a very touching and almost spiritual experience. I say that as a lifelong Roberta Flack fan, but it was easy to see that the entire crowd felt the same way.
After Bryson’s emotional catharsis, Dave Koz strolled out vibrantly with his 10-piece band, ready to turn Ruth Eckerd Hall into a 1970s style disco. The Summer Horns concept is near and dear to Koz’ heart, as he explained to the crowd that the first record he bought as a child with his own money was Tower of Power, that legendary horn featured band. While Koz is broadly known as part of the smooth jazz genre, which is something he embraces as an opportunity to draw casual listeners into the world of instrumental improvisation, he is at his core a student of jazz and he pursues his craft in a way that respects and reveres the true American art form.
Summer Horns is a labor of love for him, melding together multiple generations, ethnicities and backgrounds in his band, all unified in their shared love of music. The band recently consummated a sea cruise that traveled from the Netherlands, through Norway and Iceland, and were energized in kicking off the tour with their second night in Clearwater.
Koz is like a combination of conductor, drill sergeant, drum major and pied piper, all rolled into one, leading his band through energetic choreographed moves in time with the music, sending sheets of sound soaring throughout the auditorium. The songs were upbeat and so magnetic that the appreciative fans could not be contained in their seats. They put on such a show and had to change their matching uniforms throughout the performance to keep freshened up.
Koz made sure to mention that connecting generations through music is a big part of his mission, and his band features players from their early 20s, through their 60s. Now at 62 himself, Koz is fit and conducts his crew with passion, precision and humor, almost like a Broadway musical, acting out the themes of the song, each member trying to outdo the other.
Everyone had multiple opportunities to showcase their special skills. One of the most unique band members, known popularly as Leo P., has flowing marine blue-green hair and plays an enormous baritone sax. Leo became popular for his famous YouTube videos featuring impressive baritone playing accompanying Vaudevillian like dance moves, jitterbugging and hopscotching like Fred Astaire. He flitted about the stage as effortlessly as Gene Kelly, with baritone firmly in tow, bending down low and jumping right back up.
Koz covered many soul favorites from legends like Ides of March, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, and Earth, Wind & Fire. It’s clear that Dave has enormous respect for all his players, and while he’s the clear leader of the troupe, he surely considers them a band of equals, as the camaraderie and sheer joy in their performance shines through. The show is so infectious and feelgood, that everyone leaving the hall that night likely couldn’t wipe the smile off their face and lightness in their heart for many hours to come, which these days, can be a difficult thing to achieve.
Koz brings talent, grit, dedication, and reverence for what inspired him, transmitted to his listeners in the most genuine and pleasurable manner possible. His performance is an expression that despite all, life is a beautiful and wondrous gift that we should cherish and relish each day with all those we encounter. If nothing else, at least for that moment in Clearwater, he provided such an affirmation for all in attendance. Bravo, Dave Koz and Summer Horns, and keep spreading the love!
