B.B. King waves to the five-figure crowd Saturday night at the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest.
When they gingerly walked B.B. King out on the stage to join his big orchestra who’d been entertaining the five-figure crowd for the closing set Saturday night at the 32nd M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest for a good while, everybody stood and applauded as the American music legend took a seat.
The 88-year-old King worked hard in an attempt to entertain his loyal court. Oh, how the crowd filling the rolling hills of the campus of Onondaga Community College wanted to love him like they have for, what, all of their lives? And for some portions of his time out under the bright lights, he was something like those memories, hitting his stride, finding the right notes on Lucille and proper lyrics for “Everyday I Have the Blues” and “Darling You Know I Love You.”
Wonderful. And the crowd cheered and showed its respect.
The rest of the time, though …
It was uncomfortable to watch King forget the names of the men he’s played side by side with for so many decades, or to neglect a few of them altogether during the oh-so-long band introduction. It was awkward to watch him stop like a deer in the headlights when stage monitor feedback at his first notes halted his play completely, causing him to look around with confusion and his band mates to scurry with a way to save the moment. It was uncomfortable and awkward to hear him meander through “Rock Me Baby” and “You Are My Sunshine” with said musicians at his mercy, waiting for him to wind it up, finish talking with the people in the front, sing in time, get it right …
“The Thrill Is Gone” was included in his set, of course.
It was proper. Yet I was glad to see him one last time, this man who’s seen so much and played so many notes in front of so many people. You could tell he was having fun. He was still talking to the crowd when the fireworks scheduled to end the festival started going off behind the stage.
Raul Midon, one man, many instruments.
Singer-songwriter Raul Midon is quite properly billed as a singer-songwriter guitarist.
Man, can the native of New Mexico play guitar. Two, actually. Blind since birth, when the fantastically entertaining Midon was done taking the breath away from the happy crowd with the first two songs of his set, his handler led him from the center of the stage off to one side where a different guitar was set up. There, he took a different sound and approach.
Wait. Next it was over to a grand piano.
And let’s not forget the conga drums set up by that first guitar. Or his rich and vibrant singing voice. And the way Midon could use that voice to play the mouth trumpet in the midst of any of his songs at will, too.
Oh, those songs.
My favorites were “Invisible Chains,” which he described as “rock steady reggae,” and “Listen to the Rain,” the piano piece he wrote, he said, with the work of Ricki Lee Jones in mind.
Fantine Pritoula sings with Igor Butman & The Moscow State Jazz Orchesta.
Director and saxophonist Igor Butman has star quality. When the Russian musician walked out with the rest of the 18-piece Moscow State Jazz Orchestra, they all looked, well, a bit stern.
Chalk that up to concentration for their first time on the Syracuse stage.
This orchestra, made up with a pleasingly diverse age range of musicians from the Ukraine and Russia, can flat out play. And Butman was at the center of the music. He could not stand still for a solo, swaying, wiggling, running in place. And, oh, his marvelous tones.
Introducing the selections, he was delightfully cheery, too, laughing at whether a piece the band recorded for its most recent album — with Randy Brecker and Bill Evans’ SoulBop — was titled “Here Is She Young Beauty” or “Where Is She Young Beauty.”
Midway through, vocalist Fantine Pritoula joined the big band, adding to the beauty of the swing.
Pritoula, a Muscovite with Dominican ties, was strong, commanding and marvelous on “You’re Everything,” truly owning the stage and winning the hearts of the crowd.
Nick Zobrio, so composed at so young.
Vocalist Nick Zobrio started the second day of the fest with a smooth set that showed the early arriving jazz fans why the graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School won the 2012 Michael Feinstein competition.
The young man since has released a CD and celebrated with a set at Birdland in New York City. This fall, he’ll attend Rider University, just outside of New York City.
Saturday, though, he stood confidently and dapper in his suit, leading a band of great Syracuse professional musicians, singing classic American pop songs.
“For Once in My Life,” “This Guy’s in Love with You” and Syracuse native Jimmy Van Heusen’s “Here’s That Rainy Day” all seemed at home in his hands.
Saxophonist Jim Spadafore, trumpeter, Rob Robson, pianist John Otto, bassist Jay Lenhart and drummer Eric Haberson added to Zobrio’s full sound.
My dear wife Karen and I, seven bands down at the fest, B.B. King to go. (Photo by Suzy Taylor)
Mark Bialczak 
Thanks for letting me know about this great post, Mark. So I’m here, better late than never. I’m glad we can count on each other as readers and writers on WordPress.
LikeLike
I’m glad you got to find Nick on the wayback post, Ann, in this small world of ours. Ain’t life grand sometimes?
LikeLike
Yes it is, Mark. Thanks for adding to the grandness.
LikeLike
Hi there! Diana sent me and I am now a follower. 🙂
LikeLike
Good to meet you, Jennifer. I just went over to your place and followed you, too!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Moscow State sounded amazing, and Pritoula has an amazing voice. I wish didn’t miss that. Hmm. Searching for music seems quite necessary now.
LikeLike
The Moscow band brought it big time, Chris. Igor Butman would be a star over here.
LikeLike
Pingback: Friday Pick 111 | talktodiana
88 and still coming out there. Your samples did give a nice feel of what the concert was like.
LikeLike
Thank you, Kim. I’m glad you liked the little videos!
LikeLike
I think it’s so cool that he’s still up and around, much less doing what he loves! What a treasure that you got to see him again! 🙂
LikeLike
It’s slow going, but he’s out there, Rachel.
LikeLike
Good for him! 🙂
LikeLike
At 88, B.B. King is still able to entertain which is more than can be said for many his age and a tad younger. Thanks for your usual excellent and candid write up. Love the video clips. Raul Midon has a beautiful sound. 😉
LikeLike
People are digging the Raul clip, Judy. I think we have a winner with Mr. Midon! Yes, B.B. is ahead of the curve for 88.
LikeLike
I can recall a long long time ago ( alright it was 1976) seeing BB King and Eric Clapton together. It was a great show. I do wish I could have been there for the Jazz Fest.
LikeLike
That show in ’76, what a pairing! Nice chmjr2!
LikeLike
Thanks Mark. I saw BB King at the Landmark a few years ago–a highlight of my concert-going career. I didn’t have a chance to get to see him this weekend, and I regret that. Even a few moments with BB King on point is better than none! An American treasure.
LikeLike
Thanks, Phil. It was a few fun moments.
LikeLike
Fabulous review and synopsis. Thanks! I love seeing icons. Then you can say, “I saw…before he died.” It counts for something. I saw B.B. a couple of times. The last time it was exactly like what you saw here. And old, lost lion.
I saw The Killer–Jerry Lee Lewis–perform. Saw Henny Youngman do stand-up in a small club. Even The Rolling Stones. Get ’em before they’re gone.
LikeLike
As long as B.B. wants to do it, and the fans want to adore what was, it’s OK. It’s getting pretty close to coming to the end, though, Mark. I agree, it’s a lifetime memory to be able to say “yes, I did se —–.” Sinatra, for me, will always stand out.
LikeLike
That’s a good one! I’d have loved to see Sinatra. I dated a girl once who saw Ella Fitzgerald perform. That’s my top regret. I shudda…
LikeLike
Ella woulda! I have Aretha. Also Ray. I like those two.
LikeLike
To have been there, no matter what, would mean something to anyone who loves B.B. King’s legendary musical talent. I am so happy he lived to this age, unlike some who left the musical world bereft, gone before their ‘time!’ I think this was nice and respectful how you covered his gaps in memory, we can only hope, Mark, that we will have any memory at all by age 89!! ha ha! I have been saying recently, that my Mom may only have 2 marbles left, hugs
LikeLike
Thank you, Robin. Two marbles beats one marble, so bless your mom, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Mark, your being a ‘dog lover’ I thought you would be happy for my Mom. I called her yesterday and due to my artist brother’s traveling schedule and my married brother and his wife taking only their 2 big dogs with them, Mom has “custody” of her dog, Nicki! She had just walker her, when I called, so thrilled to have her best buddy with her! I hope that she will continue to walk her, show that she can handle her little dog with her cane. She has shown improvement over the weeks since Mother’s Day, not using a walker anymore. Just thought you would be happy to know this! Two marbles will be enough to handle a dog, I’m sure! She may concentrate harder, knowing she is ‘in charge’ of her dog.
LikeLike
I think you are right, Robin. Having her dog back with her should make your mom concentrate harder to prove that she’s up for the responsibility!
I am so glad you told me this news. 🙂 You are right. I want to know how your mom is ready with her two marbles to get her little dog back with her walker and her cane, my friend.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this music fest with us – I almost felt like was there, and jealous upon realizing that I was reading this from a hotel room in New Jersey..
LikeLike
Thanks for reading my review from a hotel room in New Jersey, Mimi. I hope it’s a good trip. The fest was very eventful. I’m glad to have fit it in the last weekend before the new job starts.
LikeLike
I suppose that is the way of aging, but trying is always better than giving up. At least Midon put on quite a show.
LikeLike
The other three bands were all superb, Kerbey. Midon is going to be a bigger name next time around, I think.
LikeLike
Love it. Especially loved BB King. Getting older blows!
Diana xo
LikeLike
Very succinctly put, Diana. 🙂
LikeLike
If he appeared to be having fun then I am glad everyone was there for him that night. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, Jeanette, he seemed to be having fun talking to his people.
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful day Mark. It’s sad about BB but what can you say? At least he could still bring back some memories.
LikeLike
He is struggling, Paul, to put it together. When it came, it was pleasant.
LikeLike
Well, after reading this I certainly understand your brilliant headline. Sad, isn’t it? I had never heard of Raul Midon and really like his sound! Thanks for the heads up.
LikeLike
I really like when the man who runs this festival, Frank Malfitano, brings a talent such as Raul Mildon to my attention. Raul has quite a voice. You have a good ear, Barbara!
LikeLike