Sculler's Jazz Club
Boston, MA
February 22, 2005

Band Members: Mike Ricchiuti – keyboards and acoustic piano, David Mann – alto sax and flute, Josh Dion – drums and vocals, Brian Killeen – electric and acoustic bass, Carmen Cuesta - vocals

It was a great day for Chuck Loeb fans in the Boston area as Chuck debuted his new release, When I'm With You, at Sculler's Jazz Club in Boston. Jazz fans in the Northeast love Sculler's because of the intimacy of the room and the fact that some tables are so close to the stage you almost feel like you are onstage with the band. In such a setting there is a unique connection between the artist and the audience. The audience becomes a part of the performance, providing essential encouragement for those on stage.

The show kicked off with the band playing three intense tunes in a row! First was “Balance,” featuring Chuck on acoustic guitar. The band joined in echoing the melody and as everything built towards the crescendo he switched to electric guitar. Next was “Double Life,” dedicated to his teacher and mentor, Jim Hall, which is the opening tune from the new release. “Back at the Bistro,” written by Mike Ricchiuti, followed. Mike has been playing with Chuck for about ten years, co-produced three songs on the new CD, and has a critically acclaimed solo CD of his own. Then Chuck introduced sax player David Mann who did the horn arrangements on When I'm With You and has an upcoming release of his own . The Sculler's crowd roared with approval when David debuted one of his new songs, “Clean Sweep,” a tribute to the Red Sox.

Carmen Cuesta took the stage to sing “…The Stars…,” with David Mann on flute. Carmen's vocalizations and style, reminiscent of Astrid Gilberto, came through beautifully. Next was the smooth jazz hit “Blue Kiss,” one of Loeb's signature songs. This evening's version was “Blue Kiss (Mariposa).” In concert he usually dedicates this song to his daughters and tells the story of how the song was named. After a long day of recording, one of the girls gave him a kiss, leaving blue lipstick on his cheek. With Mike Ricchiuti on acoustic piano, Chuck on acoustic guitar rather than electric guitar, and their daughter in the front row, Carmen sang the melody in Spanish. To complete the delicate Jobim-esque mood, there was indeed a Jobim tune, “Corcovado (Quiet Nights),” featuring Carmen with the entire band again on acoustic instruments. “Sarao” followed, with Chuck and Josh adding a wild rhythmic duet to the cool, electronic theme of the song. Another one from the new release, “Home, James” was a tribute to Stan Getz. Chuck told the story of his audition for Getz, and how that was the song he played that day. The set wrapped up with “eBop.” The band was amazing, playing complex percolating melodies in unison during an extended jam. It's hard to describe the power of a band that can play like this because the energy level and intensity keep increasing until the song's conclusion, leaving the crowd on their feet and yelling for more.

The encore was "Brother Ray," a blues shuffle dedicated to the late Ray Charles. As the audience cheered and applauded, Chuck smiled and exclaimed, “There's nothing like playing Sculler's!” I had to agree with him.

- Kat Sarracco