Red Hot Christmas
About the Author
Screen Name: Leslie at Jazz Wines
Hometown: Toronto
Birthplace: Boston MA
Date of Birth: Aug 17, 1959
Joined jazzwines.com: Jun 08, 2007
My Bio
Heart surgery as a teenager shaped my sense that time is precious and quality essential. I pursued various philosophical explorations, entrepreneurial and artistic projects at a young age.
Invested in the creation of a globally and environmentally conscious web-enabled hospitality location including electrobebe bar, and then testing the concept with a digital arts festival in 1998, pre-Internet.
Developed simple, but useful new notions of financial value through exploration of Canadian income trusts investments as a hobby in 2000-2007, and launching iTrustInvestor.com to find thousands of members in that time.
Met wine makers and jazz musicians in the process of developing Jazz Wines.
-
Dec
06
2007 - Memorable Moment
- Musical Performance.
Member - Music. - Date & Time
- Dec 06, 2007. 8:00pm
- City, State/Region
- New York, NY
- Location, First Time There?
Jazz at the Lincoln Center - Frederick P. Rose Hall. It was the first visit there by me. And it won’t be the last to this “House of Swing”.
- Favorite Place or Frequent Hangout?
It’s a beautiful performance space with fabulous accoustics and warm-hearted performers.
What made the moment
Wynton Marsalis told very funny stories about Santa and music as he led his group through an evening of jazzed up Christmas music with a bit of New Orleans thrown in. Most of this group has played together for more than half a life time, more than 20 years. Their connections and individual talents could be heard through the entire show, to everyone’s delight.
Whose talent made the memory notable
Wycliffe Gordon’s lips, on trombone and tuba made the event special for me as he played the “instrument of emotions” to the max, grounded everything and fueled the fun. But it was also wonderful to see Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson playing sax after a mere few months since a stroke. His appearance and ability to play with such skill ensured the show was ever more inspiring.
Others involved
Wynton Marsalis Wynton on trumpet, Herlin Riley on drums, Dan Nimmer on piano, Don on Banjo, Joe Temperley on Sax, Reginald Veal on Bass, Victor Goines on clarinet and more, Walter Blanding on sax, Wess Anderson and Wycliffe were humorous, tight, loose, swinging and hot, all at once. Roberta Gumbel sang a few songes.
Highlight of the experience
.
The arrangements by Wycliffe of “What Child is This” and various other pieces arranged by Wynton were brilliant takes on Christmas tunes, bringing them to life in light and swinging ways. Herlin’s drum solo in “Jingle Bells” and Dan’s tinkling ivories in “Let it Snow” brought Christmas to New York and smiles to many faces. Wynton’s humor turned smiles to raucous laughter.
Recommendations
This jazz is sheer joy. See some of this performance on PBS’ broadcast of Live at the Lincoln Center or make a trip ito the Big Apple in future years. It was worth attending a second performance for me on the closing night and then even watching it a third time Live. What better way to experience joy around the holiday season.
