‘Soul Session’ raises the roof on music of three rock legends
The evening was billed as a tribute to the music of Ray Charles and Whitney Houston, but the Columbus Jazz Orchestra opened Thursday with a tip of the hat to another fallen icon: Chuck Berry.
Joined by vocalist and keyboardist Dave Powers, the orchestra summoned a rock ‘n’ roll spirit with a raucous rendition of Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” Along with Carmen Bradford, Phil Clark and Quan Howell, Powers was among four guest vocalists featured in the Thursday evening concert titled “Soul Session” that will run through this weekend at the Southern Theatre.
Though far from a jazz or soul standard, the rock classic set the tone for an energetic, toe-tapping and sing-along-able program. Speaking to the audience, Artistic Director Byron Stripling gave the impression of having no choice in the matter — he had to honor Berry, who
died in March.
“Chuck Berry just left us,” Stripling said, “so we needed to pay tribute to him.”
The concert then quickly reset with tunes by or associated with Ray Charles, who passed away at his California home in 2004.
“Hard Times” was highlighted by a sweet saxophone solo by Chad Eby, while “Hallelujah I Love Her So,” “Georgia on My Mind” and “Busted” were sung by the rich-voiced Clark. An expressive singer, Clark embodied the songs’ doleful yet hopeful tone.
Bradford offered powerful interpretations of Whitney Houston standards, including “Run to You,” a ballad of rare intensity from Houston’s 1992 film “The Bodyguard.” Houston died the night before the Grammy Awards in February 2012.
But Bradford made her biggest impression with a homage to yet another lost legend, Ella Fitzgerald, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 25.
Bradford effortlessly navigated the slow rhythms — and sometimes breakneck-pace lyrics — of Fitzgerald’s “Mr. Paganini.”
Superb support was provided by Bob Breithaupt on drums and Bobby Floyd on keyboard.
Howell entered the mix with ebullient, impassioned renditions of “Let’s Stay Together,” “My Girl” and “Man in the Mirror.”
So what if none of those has any particular connection to Ray Charles or Whitney Houston? As Bradford said of the possibly tenuous link between the former and Chuck Berry: “Same church — different pew.”