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Bread & Roses Benefit
Review and Photographs by F.W.Part IOn a very unseasonably warm evening in San Francisco I was privileged to attend the B & R Concert, held in the Lodge Room of the Regency Building. The venue was a marvelous old building; you know, the kind with the small, cage-like, operator-run elevator that never quite makes it to your floor on the first try. The room for the concert was set-up like the jazz clubs of old, about 30 or 35 tables of eight, a good-sized dance floor in the middle and of course, the flower-laden stage. The walls were dark wood paneling, with heavy velvet drapes at the windows, which would have been ideal with a fire going, but this evening the windows were open so we could breathe in the 80+ temperatures. The tables were elegantly set with gold crushed-velvet tablecloths. See the accompanying photo and try to spot the Bread basket and the Roses for the centerpiece. The chairs were painted a glittering gold and had thick white cushions on them. In the foyer was a wine bar with many choices, enough for any palate. There was also a roving magician who kept the crowd entertained until dinner/show time. In lieu of the cigarette girl with her tray of smokes, these gals were passing out fresh gardenias flown in from Hawaii, complete with hairpins or clothing pins to attach them. (During dinner these same girls passed out small vials of perfume). There were many nicely - detailed touches to the evening, like the complimentary CD's of Boz Scaggs Greatest Hits and Clairdee's Destination Moon and a beautifully produced keepsake program.
Our schedule for the evening, even though it start almost one hour late, was as follows: During the appetizer course Clairdee performed her set. During the entrée we were treated to a fabulous couple who danced the tango, along with the appropriate musical accompaniment. During the dessert course we had the obligatory speeches and thank-you's and a live auction that raised a lot of money for the B & R organization. (The one I was dying to bid on was an intimate dinner party for six hosted by Joan Baez!) And finally it was time for Boz!! (Review in part 2) After the show(s) it was "green room" time. I was able to talk to Boz, the band members and some of their family, Clairdee, and some of the organizers and board members of Bread and Roses. Boz talked about his association (during his performance) with the organization, which dates back to 1989, at the Greek Theatre Benefit. As many of his fans know, his jazz journey began the night he performed at the 25th Anniversary Concert and this night he returned with the same band for another exquisite performance. Many of his band members are long time participants in B & R. as well. (Eric Crystal has been to San Quentin more times than Boz)
Part IIThe following is this observer's opinion of the evening's entertainment for the Bread and Roses 30th Anniversary Benefit Concert held in San Francisco, CA on March 10, 2005. For those of you not familiar with this organization, it was founded in 1974 by The first entertainer for the evening goes by only one name, Clairdee. She is a performer and recording artist who loves the hard-swinging straight-ahead jazz. She was backed by most of Boz Scaggs' band Eric Crystal on saxes, Jason Lewis on drums, John Shifflet on bass and her own piano player (new to me) Ken French. Now with a band like that backing you it is hard not to like what you are hearing. I enjoyed Clairdee's singing but not so much for her voice, which I did not find remarkable, although it is pleasant enough, but for the songs she chose and the phrasing she used. Her set list was as follows: 1. Dancing Cheek to Cheek (very good rendition) She definitely enjoys that genre of music and her set went very well with the ambiance of the evening. Clairdee performed while the appetizers were being served and perhaps I did not pay careful attention to all the nuances of her performance. I was perhaps more interested in the food but I did feel that she did a good job and got the evening off to a great start. While everyone was enjoying the main course we where treated to Gustavo and Jesica Hornos, two beautiful Tango dancers from Argentina. They were truly gorgeous to watch, elegant and seductive. They are quite well known in the Bay Area and teach the Tango as well as perform. Dancing has always been one of my passions and watching the Hornos was a treat. To learn more about them go to http://www.thetangolesson.com And so we save the best for last, the headliner for the evening, Mr. Boz Scaggs and The Band. For all you fashion mavens out there, Boz was dressed in a dark chocolate pinstriped suit, white shirt, and no tie. His hair was au natural which is now a beautiful silver color and he was sporting a small goatee. Joining Boz on stage were Paul Nagel on piano, Eric Crystal on saxes, John Shifflet on bass and Jason Lewis on drums all were dressed in what I would call elegant casual, suits or sport coats with casual shirts. Also joining Boz this evening was the wonderful, sweet voice of Ms Monet. I am really at a loss for words when it comes to describing the magic that takes place on that stage between these six performers. They are so relaxed and in tune with each other it's like the audience doesn't really exist for them, they are just up there having a great time and doing what they love best. Boz did say how pleased he was to be re-united with the original "But Beautiful" band and that they were working on a second jazz CD. He also recounted a little bit of the history of how the group came together and how the B & R 25th Anniversary Show was the catalyst for his recording the great jazz classics. Boz is a remarkable vocalist and his voice is as beautiful as ever. In my opinion the man was born to sing jazz, it fits him like a glove, at this stage in his illustrious career. And the band was terrific, as they always are. Eric and Paul playing their fabulous solo's that Boz enjoys as much as the audience. The following is the set list for the evening: 1. It Could Happen To You Encore: It was the perfect ending to a perfectly "But Beautiful" evening. Thank you Boz. |
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