Les McCann @ Jimmy Mak’s
Joined By Javon Jackson, Mel Brown, Frank Tribble, and Ed Bennett
Jimmy Mak’s had a packed house Thursday night where jazz was on everyone’s mind. Les McCann 2000 with his guests Javon Jackson, Mel Brown, Frank Tribble, and Ed Bennett played two shows in one night at Jimmy Mak’s, the first at 7:00pm and the other at 9:30pm. When I arrived all the tables, booths and other sitting areas were already taken, it was standing room only. Everyone was eating, drinking, and talking waiting for the band to take the stage. Once everyone saw Javon Jackson with his saxophone get up on the stage with the other bandmates the room turned into applause and cheers.
First up was Javon Jackson with the help from some local talent, Mel Brown, Frank Tribble, and Ed Bennett. Jackson played the saxophone, Brown (The Godfather of Portland Jazz) played drums, Tribble played guitar, and Bennett played the stand up bass. Jackson is on tour to celebrate his thirteenth recording as a leader. Jackson is a successful recording artist, among other things, and has appeared in over 125 recordings. The band played a couple of songs to get the crowd warmed up then introduced Les McCann to join them on stage.
Les McCann was welcomed to the stage with loud applause. McCann is an iconic soul jazz pianist and vocalist. His career began in the early 1960s and has continued on up to today. He is said to be one of the Godfathers of soul jazz and is the founder of the genre funky jazz. The collaboration of everyone on stage was quite a sight to see, and hear. All the musicians had good energy and provided an amazing experience for everyone in the room.
Throughout every song played, which some consisted of vocals and some did not, they alternated having solos for every musician. Of course during every solo, no matter which musician it was, they got everyone excited and it was encouraged by applause and shouts. Between some of the songs Javon Jackson and McCann would talk about each other and the other musicians on stage. After Jackson mentioned how McCann was responsible for discovering people like Roberta Flack, McCann joked that he also discovered Elvis and Jesus Christ.
Throughout the whole performance you could see their humor and enjoyment that they all shared for being on stage playing music. Two out of the many songs played throughout the night where “Where is the Love” and one of McCann’s songs “Someday We Will Meet Again.” During their last song they got the crowd to help out a bit and sing some of the lyrics for them. The song was a very upbeat funky jazz song which people couldn’t resist from getting up from their tables to dance.
The musicians played for around an hour and a half straight until they finally told the audience goodnight and thank you. The audience thanked them back with a standing ovation after much applause for each member on the stage. It was quite a treat to see a legend like Les McCann on stage joined by other talented and influential jazz musician play.
Comments
Some songs consisted of vocals, while others did not. Great point! Favorite quote: "The collaboration of everyone on stage was quite a sight to see, and hear. "
Comments
Some songs consisted of vocals, while others did not. Great point! Favorite quote: "The collaboration of everyone on stage was quite a sight to see, and hear. "