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By JOHN NORTH
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Russell Wilson’s Big Band heated up the night Nov. 15 in the Sunday Showcase at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall in West Asheville.
More than 60 people attended the three-hour show, which celebrated Wilson’s birthday, started with a bang with Wilson singing “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart” and “Louisiana Fairytale.”
In jest, Wilson said the concert actually was his 49th birthday celebration. He then quipped that, “technically, my birthday” was Nov. 9, “but, as you can see, I take the entire month to celebrate.” The crowd laughed, heartily.
The band then launched into Irving Berlin’s “Cheek to Cheek” with Wilson singing, followed by a duet with him and Wendy Jones on Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone.” Jones sang a moving solo of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.”
Later, Wilson performed a lively — and somewhat wild — rendition of George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm.”
In a reference to Wilson and his big band, a jubilant Jones declared excitedly after completing a lively song, “They’re one group of amazing jazz cats!” The crowd laughed and applauded, appreciatively.
Prior to the break between the two sets, Wilson noted that he will be offering “Russ Wilson’s History of Jazz” show, with a 12-month music series, beginning in January 2016. The show will provide live performances that present a chronological history of what he termed “the great and original American music.”
All of the performances will be at Isis, except for one that he is planning to hold at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville.
The second set opened with “Basin Street Blues,” and some of the other memorable songs included “16 Tons,” “Smoke Rings” and Don’t Pity Me.”
From Boone, torch singer Maureen Renihan just about brought the house down with her highly emotional and breathy version of Marilyn Monroe’s “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.”
The Sireens, a female vocal trio, captured the hearts of the crow with their renditions of “Home,” “Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen” and “Crazy People.” The Sireens, accompanied by guitarist Jon Corbin, are Shelley Friesland, Mary Ellen Davis and April Cope.
Wilson’s nine-piece big band included Justin Ray and Ben Hovey, trumpets; Bob Gregory, trombone; Hank West, trumpet and tenor sax; Dean Mitchell, tenor sax; Zack Page, bass; Hank Bones, guitar; Nathan Hefner, piano; and Rick Dilling, drums.
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