Undated Jazz Concert Review

Article headed "Jazz Fans Treated To `Ovette'ture." by Bill Garts

Sometimes the job of writing a review of a musical production can be troublesome.
Some productions almost write themselves, while others make a person struggle to find something of value.
Happily, the concert of last evening, held in the intimate Gardner Theatre of the Meadville Council on the Arts, was in the former category. Sponsored by the Allegheny Jazz Society, one fine vocalist, backed by four top-notch instrumentalists, pleased a small but enthusiastic audience.
The vocalist, Ericka Ovette, from the Washington, D. C. area, had the superior backing of jazz pianist Larry Eanet, guitarist Paul Pieper, bassist Steve Novosel and drummer Brooks Tegler, all also from the Washington, D. C. area.
The evening's first set opened unusually, with two semi-obscure compositions from pianist John Lewis, a longtime member of the Modern Jazz Quartet. The first, titled "Fontessa," was taken at medium tempo, featuring solos by Eanet and Pieper.
The second, also taken at medium tempo, was the quirky "Delaunay's Dilemna," also featuring piano and guitar solos. Both numbers rated four stars in this reviewer's notebook.
Vocalist Ovette then came on stage, and started charming the audience.
Her first number was "The Gentleman Is A Dope," which was followed by a beautiful version of Billy Strayhorn's equally beautiful "My Little Brown Book."
"As Long As I Live," by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, was taken at a fast tempo, and this number was followed by something quite unexpected, a slow, poignant version of Joyce Kilmer's "Trees."
The title song of Ovette's latest compact disc, "Some Enchanted Evenng," featured a pretty piano solo by Eanet, and a fast version of Cole Porter's "Just One Of Those Things" gave the band a chance to stretch out.
Ovette then sat down with guitarist Pieper for a hushed medley from "The King And I," "He's Pleased With Me" and "We Kiss In A Shadow."
A four-star version of "This Can't Be Love" led into the closing number of the set, "The Best Is Yet To Come."
The evening was a textbook sample of what music should be about. Ovette is a marvelous vocalist. This reviewer, a record collector for many years, can close his eyes and hear a very young Sarah Vaughan, from the Musicraft Records days. She is a joy to watch because she sincerely enjoys her work. Expect great things from her in the future.
Pianist Eanet is also a joy to watch. He is a fine soloist and a great accompanist, and can play in almost any style.
Guitarist Pieper was unknown to this reviewer, and was a very pleasant surprise. His solos were very good, and his backing of the vocals flawless. Bassist Novosel, originally from Farrell, PA, played in the Meadville area a number of years ago and is now the regular bassist with pianist/vocalist Shirley Horn. He provided a steady beat all evening and had some excellent solos.
Drummer Tegler, a Gene Krupa disciple, was unobtrusive all evening, with the light touch needed for backing a vocalist. He also had some very nice breaks on the up-tempo numbers.
There will be two more concerts this week-end, tonight at 8 and Sunday afternoon at
1. Tickets remain for both concerts. This reviewer advises that you don't miss this group.
Garts is producer/host of "Saturday Swing Session," heard each Saturday evening from 8 until 11 p.m. on Radio Station WQLN-FM, Erie (91.3 FM).