Pianist/arranger extraordinaire Mike Greensill has begun a series of Monday evening music and conversation featuring a rotating collection of special guest stars. The opening show highlighted jazz violinist Jeremy Cohen on Dorado Schmitt’s gypsy jazz number "Tchavalo Swing," a rousing rendition of Fats Wallers’s "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Dr. Groove’ by reknowned gypsy violinist Eddie South.  Cohen works the violin like the master classicist he is, yet  infuses the music with a liveliness and abandon great jazz musicians offer.

Greensill keeps the music moving with his delicate balance of incredible chord work and subtle yet extrememely effective  background melodies. Guitarist Brad Buethe worked his magic on Billy Strayhorn’s gorgeous melody "Isfahan" and Greensill, mostly seen working his magic with partner Wesla Whitfield, even sang Duke Ellington’s "I’m Just a Lucky So and So."

For this first show, Wesla Whitfield appeared to sing Irving Berlin’s "Cheek to Cheek" and a beautiful version of "Where Do I Go from Here" from the musical Fiorello! Familiar ground for Mike Greensill and bassist John Witaala, but with the addition of Jeremy Cohen and Brad Buethe, the result is jazz magic.

The addition of interviews added to the educational impact of these shows which continue on October 19, November 16 and December 21 with new guest stars.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
September 21, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org