It’s a mild spring night and I’m looking forward to a great show tonight at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club, not only because of the caliber of talent of the two artists featured on the marquee, but because this would be my first time attending a show at this venue in the DC suburb of Bethesda, MD.  We are fortunate to have several good places to see and hear live music, and it’s nice to add the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club to the list. 

This venue was originally a movie theater.  When multiplex theaters came into popularity, it went the way of most movie houses, but after renovations and upgrades, it was reborn in fabulous Art Deco style as the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club.  The front and sides of the theater have table seating for eating and drinking while enjoying the show.  The back has the stadium seating that you find in most theaters.  Behind the stadium seating is the lobby bar, where you can listen to the music and have a cocktail while watching the show on a television monitor. 

First impressions were good, and I enjoyed seeing a show in this beautiful venue.  The show itself was very informal.  Not a lot of bells and whistles, just really good music played by some incredibly talented artists.  In addition to Marc and Brian, holding down the rhythm section, we had DC’s own Jay Williams on drums, and the pride of North Carolina, John Dillard on bass.

With so many very talented guitar players in the smooth jazz arena, it can sometimes be hard for players to stand out in the field; however, Marc Antoine does not have that problem.  I’ve been listening to and loving his music for years now and he does not disappoint.  I especially love when he gets into his Spanish grooves; “Latin Quarter,” “Funky Picante,” and “Spain,” are great songs and sounded wonderful when played by this masterful player.  He also has a knack for taking well known classical compositions and making them his own by interpreting them into his own musical style and sound.  Brilliant!
As for Brian Simpson, it’s always fun seeing him and hearing his music.   He just released his fifth project in April, Just What You Need, so we got to hear some brand new tunes, which were great.  Classic Brian Simpson tunes like “South Beach” and “It’s All Good” are what brings the fun to a Brian Simpson show; everyone knows them and loves hearing them.  Songs like “Can’t Tell You Why “and “Let’s Get Close” show off Brian’s soft, romantic side.  And, I love when musicians go “off script” and incorporate riffs of other songs into whatever they’re playing, as was the case with “Brasilia,” which included riffs from “If I Only Had a Brain” and “Girl from Impanena.”

The crowd enjoyed the music and the playful chemistry between Brian and Marc.  It was a good show, and we were pleasantly surprised when local MD saxophonist Art Sherrod, Jr. joined the others onstage for “It’s All Good” and “Sunland.”