Ernestine Anderson!!

jazzy mary · March-31st-2005, 12:06 PM

Wow! Last night my sister and I spent a wonderful night at Dizzy's Club at J@LC (under the largess of my sweet friend Dwayne Burno who was able to guest list us both--what a doll! We saved $60.00 not having to pay the cover--but we still spent plenty of $ on food and drink, anyway) for both sets of Ernestine Anderson's gig.

Now, I'll have to admit, I didn't know anything about Ernestine. I had heard of her and vaguely knew that she was a "legend" and she was supposesd to be good. Well, she is magnificent! What a treat we were in for! She's 76 years old but her voice was amazingly strong and clear and in tune and in pitch--everything! She was funny, entertaining but not "show bizz-y"--really natural and just plain great!

She started out with a song that I didn't know but then sang "Easy to Remember", "This Can't be Love", "Sunny Side of the Street" which she prefaced with a funny story about how she entered a contest when she aound 12 and that was one of the first secular songs she sang, then she sang "Fine & Mellow" , that Leon Russell song that goes "I've Been So many Places...you're a friend of mine" and then she brought down the house with, I guess is her signature song, "You Made Your Move Too Soon".

Her band was David Hazeltine, Willie Jones the III (I love that cat!--right in the pocket!) Dwayne Burno and Frank Wess.

The joint was sold out. During the break, we talked to Dwayne a bit and, because she was so great, we stayed for the second set. To my utter surprise she sang the exact same set list except substituting "God Bless the Child" for "Fine & Mellow" and I believe that was at David's urging.

I was disappointed that she sang the same songs but even so, it was a absolute treat and she didn't sing them exactly the same way anyway! I found out later that she actually really didn't have the music too together and these were the only songs they were able to chart out and rehearse. I hope she can do some others soon as it would be more interesting. But, truly she was WONDERFUL! I urge everyone to get out there and see her if you can. You'll love it! On another note, I tried the food for the first time last night and it was pretty good. The service is just not good at Dizzy's though--they probably need more help and I don't find the staff--the house manager, the waitresses (except for wonderful Allison who used to be at the VV) or the receptionist very friendly or helpful. It's not a real friendly vibe there.

I saw Roy Hargrove at the first set checking out Ernestine as Roy loves vocalists and, of course, his bandmates D and Willie were there. When I was leaving I talked to Robert Glasper for a minute. I haven't seen him in such a long time and we were happy to see one another. I congratulated him on his BN signing and we were remembering how I had "discovered" him years ago when he played the Strickland Bros. "Sr. thesis" concert at the New School. David Weisss was there too so I talked to him a bit and Peter Bernstein, who is an absolute sweetie.

Btw, Robert asked me if I still posted on Jazzcorner. I told him I did and I *urged* him to participate--I'm doing my best diversity recruiting! but I think he's more interested in if I'm posting about him as an artist (no problem, I think he's great. I always have!) rather than his participating as a poster. He's doing a birthday gig at the Jazz Gallery on April 7. I may try to hit that.

clinthopson · March-31st-2005, 12:12 PM

Mary, you heard one of the best.

I've been an Ernestine Anderson fan for many years.

Maybe my favorite performance of hers is the one with the Capp Pierce Juggernaught of "Never Make Your Move Too Soon" including a hilarious rap in the middle.

"I'm not gonna waste my champagne taste on a guy with a Budweiser pocketbook."

cookie · March-31st-2005, 12:50 PM

Ernestine Andrews is one of my very favorites! I was just listening to her last week on NICA's TEMPO by Gigi Gryce. That is my very favorite rendition of "Social Call" ever!

Sounds like it was a GREAT concert. Wish I could have been in the house but am glad that you were. Thanks for the review!

jazzy mary · March-31st-2005, 01:17 PM

I remember her first song now, it was "It's the Nightlife but it's My Life!" It was great!

Hey, how about some Ernestine Andersons recs? Thanks.

jazzy mary · March-31st-2005, 02:49 PM

Hey, I can't spend all day checking back here!

groover · March-31st-2005, 03:07 PM

Ernestine is one the best female jazz vocalists. Glad to hear she's still in good form. I'd start with this CD:

Ernestine Anderson - Never Make Your Move Too Soon (Concord Jazz)

jazzy mary · March-31st-2005, 03:10 PM

groover, she is in great form! She talked about her new cd on High Note too.

Valerie · March-31st-2005, 06:29 PM

JM: I am SO sorry I didn't think to contact you when I heard Ernestine was playing with Dwayne at Dizzy's!! She has been one of my best friends for the past 35 years!! If you mentioned me to her, she probably would have told you something kind of astounding/dramatic that I'm not going to write about here. Anyway, suffice it to say that I love her, both personally and professionally. I had to giggle at the part about her not having her music completely together: She does tend to be a little "scattered" at times!! LOL!!

I last saw her approximately six months ago at the Hollywood Bowl.

If you happen to see her again during this gig, you'll know what to do! Also, if you talk with Dwayne, please tell him that I hope he's enjoying my friend!

xoxo

jazzy mary · March-31st-2005, 08:34 PM

Val, you'll have to pm me with the story! I loved her!!!!

Dr Dave · April-1st-2005, 10:33 AM

"I'm a WORLDLY woman!"

Ernestine is just the best! I'm so glad to hear she's hale and hearty and in good voice. I've never seen her live, but I've played that live version of "Never Make Your Move Too Soon" to death. In my traveling days I'd holler along with her:

"I been to Spain I been to Tokyo!
Been to Africa been to O-Hi-O!"

JazzyGuyNW · April-13th-2005, 02:53 AM

Not from the performance of which you speak, but here are some
photos I've taken of her in the past year:

1) August 2004 @ Vancouver (WA) Wine and Jazz Festival (scroll past
the pics of Nancy King):

http://www.nancykingjazz.com/August2004/

2) March 2005 @ Edmonds, WA "Friends of Frank DeMiero Jazz Festival"
(scroll down about half way):

http://www.jazzvox.com/fof/

She's a charmer for sure. I'm so glad I've caught her recently -
it would be a shame to live so close to a legend and never hear her
perform live. I just love the way she patters/talks during a blues tune.
Swings and grooves on blues like mad.

All Best,
Nich

robin bell · April-13th-2005, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzyGuyNW

Not from the performance of which you speak, but here are some
photos I've taken of her in the past year:

1) August 2004 @ Vancouver (WA) Wine and Jazz Festival (scroll past
the pics of Nancy King):

http://www.nancykingjazz.com/August2004/

2) March 2005 @ Edmonds, WA "Friends of Frank DeMiero Jazz Festival"
(scroll down about half way):

http://www.jazzvox.com/fof/

She's a charmer for sure. I'm so glad I've caught her recently -
it would be a shame to live so close to a legend and never hear her
perform live. I just love the way she patters/talks during a blues tune.
Swings and grooves on blues like mad.

All Best,
Nich

jazzyguy, thanks. those were great to look at. hope to catch this legend sometime.

jazzy mary · April-13th-2005, 11:32 AM

Great photos, nich!