Somewhere in the middle of the second set of the night I stood in the middle of NUBLU in amazement and then turned to my friend and said: I can't believe we only paid $10 for this...
I went to a Revive Da Live event last night with some friends. I went to support my homegirl Melanie Charles who was with her band The Journey. When I first got there she was talking some nonsense about being hoarse, but of course as per usual she slayed her entire set doing some originals from her debut album as well as covers from two of my absolute favorite artists: Stevie and Lauryn (I'm on a first name basis with both of them). I always love seeing Melanie perform. Anytime she's on stage you just get the notion the she was born to do it.
I stayed for the second set because my friend Lenny has for the last few month been singing the praises of one Jean Baylor who you may remember as one half of the 90s duo Zhane. (she's the light skinned one) She's featured in her husband, Marcus Baylor's band Free Day. You may remember him as the drummer from the Yellowjackets. side note: Sea Folk by the Yellowjackets still remains my all time favorite jazz song. When Free Day, which last night consisted of simply Marcus and a keyboardist name Yuki, took the stage it was an experience unlike any other that I've ever had the chance to encounter. I'm not even sure I can describe in words the level of musicianship, excellence, beauty and creativity that took place on that stage. There was one point in the night when Yuki began to solo on Great Is Thy Faithfulness (yes...hymns in the night club) and I was actually moved to tears...but I didn't let my friends catch me being soft. Then my mind was blown when Ms. Baylor took to the mic and effortlessly slayed every single note that left her lips. I heard a fellow audience member say after their set that it was a master class in musicianship and I must say that I agree.
I wasn't able to stay for the final set but I've seen Mavis Swan Poole and her Soul Understated band perform before and I know that they were no less magnificent this time around than the last time I saw them. Three amazing bands with talent out of this world for a $10 cover...just a typical night in NYC. I love this town.
