Healdsburg, CA
June 18, 2006

I’m not sure if it was an incredibly long winter or if it just felt that way because it had been several months since I’d attend a smooth jazz concert.  I’m addicted.   I admit it.  My thirst for the first smooth jazz summer concert series in the beautiful, intimate setting of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Sonoma County, CA was about to be quenched.   It was a hot day, and with pianist, composer, conductor, David Benoit waiting in the wings, it was about to get hotter.

As David Benoit was introduced, he stepped behind an ebony Steinway & Sons Concert Grand piano.  After minor adjustments with the placement of a market umbrella and a little ribbing with the stagehand; he opened with “Café Rio.” The audience gave a warm round of applause for this joyful and uplifting song.  We took additional delight when drummer Jamey Tate, pulling double duty by playing with Mindi Abair later that day, cut loose.  He certainly caught the audience’s attention.   David introduced the band: Jamey Tate, David Hughes (bass), and Andy Suzuki (sax).  Right out of the starting gate its clear there was a strong cohesion between these guys.

David took a few minutes to share that this was the debut of “Café Rio” from his latest contemporary jazz album titled Full Circle which is due out this month.   He played another song from that album which he wrote for his daughter June, “Monsters In The Attic.”  David said June was always asking him to play the monster song.  She likes it because it has a funky grove.  We all agreed with June.  It’s definitely funky and with Andy heavy on the sax it made it all the more so.   

David made a smooth transition into “Every Step Of The Way,” from his CD of the same title. The beat picked up once again with that get down get funky song “Watermelon Man.”     As I stood on stage behind the soundman waiting for that perfect photo opportunity, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the rhythm and David’s infectious enthusiasm.   The guys cut loose; it had the feel of a late night jam session, each taking the lead then passing it off to another.  Jamey and Andy went toe-to-toe only to be taken on by David on bass. There was an abundance of energy flowing from the stage to the audience and back.  
        
Since it was Father’s Day David shared his thoughts on fatherhood and of his own father’s passing a few years ago.  In honor of his father he played a soft and soothing song he wrote for him called, “Dad’s Rooms” from his Professional Dreamer CD and continued with “Blue “Rondo A La Turk.” 

David closed the show by paying tribute to the remarkable Vince Guaraldi, starting with “Charlie Brown Theme” and followed by “Cast Your Fate To The Wind.” This being the home of the Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schultz, the audience wasn’t about to let David get away with just the two songs.  They cheered and applauded for more.  David acknowledged the request by playing one of my favorites, “Linus And Lucy.”  

This was the second time I’d seen David Benoit perform.  The first was during a Dave Koz Christmas show where I got a taste of what David was all about.  I knew he was an accomplished pianist, composer and conductor, but what I didn’t know is his music is intoxicating.   I don’t have a collection of David Benoit CDs, but you can bet by the time you read this I will have.

- Rochell Letasi