Gig at McRae Park (Sambas In The Rain)

About three times a year the Jazz Workshop plays gigs at McRae Park for their various seasonal events. We do one around the end of the year (the Santa Breakfast), in the spring (the Bunny Brunch) and at the start of summer (the Family Fun Day). The latter was today (6/5/10) and we did it again. This year we were the only entertainment for the day and, again, this year it rained. The options seem to be either rain or scorching sun for this gig. Fortunately for us, the City of Minneapolis has a portable stage that they bring to this which includes a sound system and shelter from the elements. Unfortunately, it doesn't protect the audience. An amazing number of people braved the rain for the first hour or so, but as the rain intensified the audience slowly went inside or went home. Much to our surprise, though, the folks inside the McRae Park building could hear us quite well.

Representing the Jazz Workshop today were Annie, Toria, Dick and Matt (all vocals); the horn section was Ira (alto sax), Peter (bari sax), Wes (tenor sax), Luke (soprano sax and flute) and Sam (trumpet); the rhythm section was Gene (drums), Max (bass), Paul (keyboard), Bob (guitar), Craig (guitar) and Tim (guitar). If I have counted right, that's 14 people.

I'm usually pretty critical, but I have to say that we sounded pretty good today. Being able to mike the horns and run most of the rhythm section through the PA made a big difference in balance and being able to hear. Matt walked around the grounds on the first few songs to help set levels for each of the instruments. We played for about two hours and had a whole lot of fun!

The set list included (but due to not having time to write them down, this is incomplete): the "Flintstones" theme, "Now's The Time," "Take the 'A' Train," "What Is This Thing Called Love," "Watermelon Man," "Blue Moon," "Corcovado," "Bye Bye Blackbird," "Fever," "The Girl From Ipanema" and "Sentimental Journey."

We had a great time playing and we hope that- despite the inclement weather- so did the audience!