Okay, okay thanks to one of my uber cool friends I have finally, finally found my kind of night spot in London - Ronnie Scott's. Not just the infamous jazz bar itself, but the once a month event which takes place in the cozy and sensual Upstairs Bar.
Jazz Verse at Jukebox is hot! I don't have another word to describe it - funky, suave, cool, artistic and the list could go on. Host and award winning broadcaster, journalist and singer, Jumoke Fashola (and her infectious smile) along with her brilliant band started the evening off with some good ole' jazz tunes, then opened the floor to nothing but talented spoken-word artists and singers.
A great surprise of the evening was Leslie Ebony, a Chicago native and Amsterdam expat, ripped the floor with her down-home emotions, melodic voice and deep, deep words of appreciation on her piece as a Tribute to poets. Who would have known that when her name was pulled from the Jukebox box, that she was a well known spoken-word performer in Amsterdam. You didn't just hear her words, you felt each syllable. Of course I made my way to speak with her and what a lovely, lovely person she is. Maybe I can get her to do a quick interview for me. Hmm, well we hope to see her in London soon. But Chicago, your sister is representing you well!
Another surprise, Jazzman John, was cat-daddy cool. A suave white man in his 60's or 70's who rhymed to background jazz beats like a pro. I felt like Mo' Better Blues and Love Jones at once. I spoke with him personally after the show and he said, 'I love the perception people have of me when I get on stage, then the are taken back once I start...It is so funny'. Jazzman John is truly breaking any stereotypes in the art - Melons...Lemons...Mango (sorry I am still singing the hook to his first spoken-words).
Errol's New Me poem was hilarious. Not to mention, throughout the evening two brilliant newbie singers, pulled from the box caught my attention (one apparently is a musical genius according to her Dad Lennox Brown - another aspiring poet). The excitement continues with a performance treat from blue-eyed doo-wop soul singer Rebecca Poole.
If that isn't enough, Mr. Dean Atta, award-winning spoken word artist, and soon to be the first out-spoken gay rap star (you can check out his documentary, No Homo: Hip, hop's greatest taboo) graced our presence. For the evening he delivered three original spoken-word pieces (get an introduction to one of his performed pieces Therapy in the video) which left one of the audience members in tears. Enough said!
I haven't had a better night like this in months. I left inspired and blessed to be around such humble, talented and real artists. And since I am tapping back into my left-brain, I have challenged myself with a little something, something of which will be revealed shortly. Keep your mind open and your eyes on alert.
Next Jazz Verse at the Jukebox will take place on August 7th. Don't miss it.
-All photos taken with my handy dandy iPhone of course.
Ciao Kids!
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