Broward Center for the Performing Arts
with special guest Chuck Loeb
Sep. 9, 2005

Jazz Spectacular, the annual fund raising Gala and Concert to benefit the Boys and Girls Club in Ft. Lauderdale, has always presented an impressive lineup of smooth jazz stars. Every year a high caliber group of artists come to South Florida to perform at the benefit concert and participate in activities with the kids. Although it is a Gala with VIP events, including a pre-show buffet/silent auction and post-show reception, there are plenty of regularly priced tickets available that also benefit the kids and give the non-gala crowd a chance to experience some of smooth jazz's finest artists and some of the budding talents in the Boys and Girls Clubs' music education programs.

Richard Smith and Freddie Ravel have both been heavily involved with music education, so this was a perfect setting for them. It was also flat out one of the most euphoric concert experiences I've ever had. It was a case of "they're gonna take you higher," and then some. Sitting there on a music-driven adrenaline rush, it seemed impossible to pin it down with words. During an onstage conversation with some of the artists, the phrase "putting a bunch of chemicals together then putting a match to it" came up. That summed it up!  Smith and Ravel started doing some gigs together a few years ago. Bass player, Larry Antonino, and drummer, William "Bubba" Bryant, were in both their touring bands, so they were the obvious choice to round out the group. There's the chemistry. Put them in front of a crowd and there's the match that lights it up!

The show starts on a fairly tame note, with Freddie Ravel center stage playing his radio hit "Sunny Side Up," but the subdued part only lasts a few minutes into the song when Freddie's showmanship starts to become a factor. "D'Bluze" put Smith into rock star mode with some blues-based runs that left him breathless and the crowd stunned. Ravel and Smith traded solos on the beautifully moody "Beyond the Mountains." A classical piano interlude from Ravel led into an all out Latin jam that was so energized and layered with the musicians trading off licks that the crowd was caught between dancing in the aisles and gaping in awe at the level of musicianship. As if this wasn't enough, Chuck Loeb came onstage and began a searing version of "Sarao." Loeb and Smith, both virtuoso guitarists, are a study in contrasts. Smith plays very physically. He moves, he works the stage. Loeb puts out an equal amount of energy and intensity while standing still. Sharing the stage there is an alchemy, the "third force" factor where the sum has different facets than the parts. A dual guitar arrangement of the Brazilian classic, "Manha De Carnival" showcased their artistry and musical diversity. Loeb flipped the switch back to hot by turning "Sunny" into an ultra-contemporary stylized Loeb-song that segued in and out of “Tropical.” Smith's version of "Sing-A-Song" had everyone singing along on the chorus, then the band wrapped it up with a no holds barred version of the Crusaders' "Put It Where You Want It."  Loeb came back for this one, and Jeff Kashiwa, who was also performing with Sax Pack, joined in too. Larry Antonino was working some heady percussion effects on bass that Bryant would answer on drums. Then Bryant grabbed his drumsticks and started banging on any object that could make a noise - the mic stands, speakers, platforms, ending up on the edge of the stage playing the floor. The song came to a rousing finish with Smith, Ravel, Kashiwa and Loeb all center stage. Within one set by one band we got Smooth Jazz, Traditional Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Classical, Brazilian, Salsa, Classic R&B and pure CJazz Funk. It's enough to leave you breathless. And it did!

- Shannon West