Trumpets Jazz Club review from NYBJS - www.nybluesandjazz.org
Trumpets Jazz Club
Montclair, NJ
February 29th, 2004
After our recent Memphis Bound Fundraiser at The Bitter End on January 20th, we at The New York Blues and Jazz Society were looking for a new project. We were so totally impressed with all the talent that had donated their services for this show that we decided to ask Baron Raymonde and Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair if it would be alright to make Baron's upcoming gig an NYBJS event. The Sax Baron had enlisted two of our favorites: vocalist/piano player, Tommy Mitchell and guitar player, Gil Parris to join him in a Quintet at Trumpets on Sunday, February 29th. I had never been to the club in Montclair and my wife and I were excited about attending.
Enrico Granafei the owner of Trumpets had a packed house and it was only 4:00 PM. Ably assisted by the rhythm section of Kip Sophos, bass and Rich Gonzales, drums the boys did not disappoint us. Baron Raymonde is the finest alto sax player I've heard. He is not satisfied to just play the instrument but squeezes the juices out of the thing. I've often said that I prefer tenor sax to alto but decided now it's only because I never heard Baron Raymonde. Gil Parris is also a "tonemaster" on the guitar and Tommy's voice was in fine form. Also joined by the Italian violin virtuoso, Vitali, they performed Tommy Mitchell's "Bittersweet" and "C Smooth" by George Benson. Then Tommy sang "A Song for You" by Leon Russell. The Band played the Baron Raymonde/Gary Eskow penned "Back in the Day" and the classic "Ode to Billy Joe." Then Gil played "Duck Walk" a tune he wrote off of his latest cd "Jam this." They continued with the Ray Charles classic "Georgia", Horace Silver's "Sister Sadie" and The Doobie Brother's "Taking It to The Streets." They also performed Stevie Wonder's "I Am Singing."
Everyone at Trumpets had a great time and I for one am looking forward to seeing these guys together again. Baron Raymonde is also a member of "The Tommy Mitchell Band" and involved with many music projects.
Richard Ludmerer
ricdale2@yahoo.com