Neil Adler, harmonica and piano.
Jeff Buenz, six-string bass.
Carlitos Medrano, congas.
Akira Tana, drums.

$20 cover; byob.
students and musicians, $10.

Also streamed live on Bird & Beckett’s facebook page and youtube channel for those who can’t make it into the shop for the show.

Neil Adler has cooked up a collection of uplifting, rhythmic tunes he’s so excited by that this public unveiling can’t wait for their imminent release on cd and all those digital platforms. 

Jeff Buenz, Carlitos Medrano and Akira Tana, stellar musicians all, collaborated with Neil in the studio to bring the songs to life, and all three will be on hand with Neil to render it live for your ears. You can get a taste of the recordings sessions at this link.  

Come out and celebrate with us. To add to the fun, there’ll be a contest to win a top of the line blues harp donated by Neil’s sponsor, Seydel, as well as a few harmonica necklaces and some cds! 

Anticipating the release of “Emi’s Song,” Pianist Larry Dunlap says, “Give your ears a nice gift and spend some time listening to this lovely recording Neil has created. His playing on piano and chromatic harmonica is tasty and enticing. As a pianist myself, I can appreciate his controlled and elegant piano talents. His mastery of the harmonica both relaxes and astound me. I believe this is a very difficut instrument to play this well.” 

Neil has this to say about the tunes:

I wrote Emis Song for my wife, showcasing her personality with a light, happy samba.

Besame Mucho is an arrangement that developed organically on several gigs, with the moods and dynamics used to support salsa dancing.

Yearning is the nice, underplayed vehicle written by Oliver Nelson from “Blues and the Abstract Truth.” I arranged it to have the piano simulate the horn section.

Tell Me A Bedtime Story – a Herbie Hancock classic.

Blues For McCoy – my 9/8 Afrocuban composition that Akira and Jeff picked up on quickly on this hard hitting angular tune.

Bill Evans Medley – three lesser known, rarely played beauties by Bill: Remembering The Rain, Only Child and My Bells.

The Peacocks – a chromatic, harmonically unusual piece that seems appropriate for the awkward, testy and at times beautiful chromatic peacock and harmonica.

Nelson’s Son – a Cuban son written for my first Cuban piano instructor on the birth of his first son. A duo dialog with master conguero Carlitos Medrano from Cuba.

Tenderly/That’s All – two beautiful ballads I enjoy playing. I’ve used ‘That’s All’ at both memorials and concert closures with a good reception.

Los Tres Golpes – a piano danzon by Ignacio Cervantes

Century Rag – a modern ragtime challenge by Roland Hanna.

Donna Lee – a classic bebop vehicle for the chromatic in four keys.