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The Whistler
An exclusive column by Ed Sharlet
March 24, 2005 |
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The Week about
Town
The
first thing I'm going to tell you about is the performance last week
at the Tower Theater of Omar Faruk Tekbelik and his Ensemble. To
hear and witness such heartfelt music pouring out of them, body and
soul, vocally and instrumentally: Omar on vocals and Middle Eastern
flutes and drums; accompanied by a very creative electric guitarist,
two wonderful percussionists, and an electronic keyboard player who
could sound like a jazz piano or a Turkish Cembalo. Omar and his
musicians shared fully the beautiful energy of the Middle Eastern
heart, while poised humbly before the source of the beauty.
Thanks to Dale Largent of Coyo, for bringing this inspiring concert to
the Tower Theater.
Well, back down to earth. After enjoying the
great energy of Hot Buttered Rum String Band at the Domino Room, we
went over to bend Distillery's Martini Bar to catch Stephanie Jones
and the Smooth Criminals (actually Joe on guitar and Jenny on fiddle
of the Moon Mountain Ramblers, and Adam Hill on bass.) Stephanie was
just great in that musical setting, and she and I did a duet on a
soulful blues tune.
The Candlelight Cabaret Jazz Jam is still on for Thursday nights.
While George Bouhey is taking a break from hosting, Scott Benedict is
filling in for him. He had a great lineup of blues guitarists: Luke
Lapoint, Shane Osborne, Jeff Purcell, and Scott on drums. With such
solid backup like that, I did some of the best blues whistling I've
ever done.
I also had the privilege of sitting in with Mikl Pressler and Jon
Haverly at Be Bop Biscotti last Saturday morning. Mikl is a virtuoso
on the accordion, at home on American standards and jazz, French
ballads, and Brazilian samba. Jon does a great job of finding
the heart of a song and setting it free.
Next week: St Patrick's Day and COSA song of the year awards.
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Ed with Stephanie Jones at Bend Distillery
Martini Bar
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