Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio | The Ale & the Witch 06.21.14

For what seems like forever, I’ve been jonesing to drive to South Florida for one of Bobby Lee Rodger’s jazz gigs. Maybe it was reading about those Sunday afternoon shows: The Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio Plays the Music of John Coltrane, or Miles Davis, or Horace Silver. Speaking of Silver, a colossus of the jazz world just lost to us this week, I also remember hearing the BLR3 come out for a third set at the Ringside and knocking out a magnificent 25-minute version of “Song for My Father.”

So I still haven’t made it south yet, but I did get to hear a couple of wonderful lengthy jazz romps last night during BLR3’s latest outing at the Ale & the Witch. It was gratifying to see so many people there, too, enthusiastically appreciating the great music filling the courtyard. It was rockin’! And the Sweet Potato Stout was awesome!

We arrived late but fortunately in time to hear one of my very favorite BLR compositions, “Outer Space” (CopE, among others, does a great cover of this tune). Right after that, the trio launched into a beautiful jazz tune he wrote called “Plate Hot.” I’ve noted before that Bobby Lee can rage on the guitar with the best of them, but this tune featured his sublimely gorgeous jazz touch. It was heavenly.

This was my third time hearing drummer Goetz Kujack but the first time I was able to concentrate on his playing. Bobby Lee is a magnet, attracting great, talented players to join him on his musical journey. Kujack’s style fit perfectly into every tune. And kudos again to bassist Rodrigo Zambrano; Bobby Lee gives him lots of solo space, and Zambrano makes the most of it every time. His deft touch on the jazz tunes was superb.

Speaking of jazz tunes, I got my second taste of the night with Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-A-Ning,” a glorious reading of this jazz standard. So, yeah, I’ve got to get my arse down to South Florida for a full dose.

The set closed with “The Freeze” from BLR’s recent EP, “Planets.” For those who read this by June 24th, I will be playing “The Freeze” when I guest-host on WMNF’s In the Groove with Thor and Wayne Tuesday night from 11 PM to 1. Serotonic plays live for the first hour. Join me! WMNF 88.5 and WMNF.org.

Great to see Captain Mark Glenn and Kenny (his first BLR experience!) enjoying the music and the atmosphere and the great breeze!