Write a commentThe final performance of the Spring Season of David Kaspar's Jazz By The Lake Series at the Oswego Music Hall took place on Saturday, April 20.
The jam/jazz Count Blastula Trio were joined by guest saxophonist Mike Dubaniewicz, and the four virtuoso musicians blended their talents to put on a truly "lit" show in honor of the show's auspicious date - 4/20 - before an appreciative audience gathered at the intimate listening room.
The Syracuse-area trio consists of Dan Pugh on keyboards, Dave Schlossberg on drums and Adam Fisher on guitar, bass and vocals. Dubaniewicz, who led jazz great Maynard Ferguson's band for several years, was playing with Count Blastula for the first time on this evening, but you would never have known it to hear them play together. He and Fisher traded solos seamlessly, and their melodies played off each other perfectly.
Adam Fisher impressed the crowd with his abilities on both guitar and bass. He played guitar during the opening set and more than capably matched the elite guitarists whose songs the band covered, including Grant Green, John Mayer and John Skofield. For the second set, Fisher grabbed his bass and tore into several original songs, with his fingers flying across the strings to play lead lines that rivaled any guitar solo you could imagine.
Dan Pugh on keys was instrumental in keeping the melodies going behind Fisher's and Dubaniewicz's cascading solos. Pugh was given many opportunities to shine, and also deserves credit for playing the bass lines as well as the melody on his keyboard during Fisher's guitar set.
Drummer Schlossberg was a steady presence, with his crisp playing accenting the rhythmic fireworks going on in front of him.
Promoter David Kaspar said, "These nights are why I love jazz. These guys have never performed together, and they're absolutely killing it!"
As an added bonus, artist Fletch Crangle of PhadedOutArts live-painted a complete work of art during the band's performance. It was very interesting to see the abstract painting process during the show, as the artist drew inspiration from the vibe the band was putting down.
Kaspar also said that he looks forward to September when he can bring Season 4 of Jazz By The Lake back to the Music Hall. "You've got some solid jazz fans in Oswego," he said. "I love bringing this music to people who appreciate it."
The Oswego Music Hall's Spring Season continues on Friday April 26 with an Open Mic Night, this week hosted by Larry Kyle. On Saturday April 27, the one and only Livingston Taylor will grace the Music Hall stage with opening act Ash & Eric. Taylor, whose brother is Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor, will be making his first visit to the Port City. He is a longtime professor at the Berkeley School of Music in Boston, and will play music from his six decades of performing.
Advance sale tickets for Livingston Taylor with Ash & Eric are on sale at www.OswegoMusicHall.org or at The River's End Bookstore in downtown Oswego. The Music Hall is located in the historic McCrobie Civic Center at 41 Lake Street in Oswego. Doors will open for Saturday's show at 7:00 p.m. with showtime at 7:30.
