Jay Mabin, harmonica player extraordinaire, was in the house on Saturday, April 13 for Jazz in The Georgian. He has been a monthly regular at The Georgian Restaurant inside Seattle's Fairmont Olympic Hotel for the past three years. Jay is a dear friend whom I've known for about twenty years. He is a highly accomplished and marvelous harmonicist who plays chromatic and an array of diatonic harmonicas. Jay plays the diatonic harps chromatically, which underscores his deft abilities and skills. Jay is also an accomplished bassist as well who has backed up many regional artists throughout his musical career.
The night before on Friday, we had great tenor saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev. As discussed in the previous blog post, the duo of tenor sax and bass is a challenging but not an uncommon configuration. The lack of a chordal instrument creates a freer musical space in terms of harmonic improvisation. Also, the absence of a drummer places greater responsibility in both players to uphold the tempo/meter and rhythmic feel of the music. Tenor sax and bass is not unusual at all. It's been recorded and featured many times with great players over many years. However, it is not common to hear a harmonica and bass duo. I think that may be due to the fact that there are not a plethora of harmonica players that can play jazz and improvise over complex chord changes. Harmonica has traditionally been in the realm of blues music. It is an instrument that the musical layman may be able to pick up and play along in a straight ahead blues setting. Perhaps because of this the harmonica has not been given the recognition than say a saxophone, trumpet, piano, or any traditional type of instrument. I am not aware of any places of higher learning that offer degrees in harmonica playing. Even though there are great world-class harmonica players such as Toots Thielemans, Larry Adler, Ron Kalina, and Stevie Wonder, harmonica does not elicit the same serious acknowledgement as other traditional instruments.
The initial debut of Jay Mabin in The Georgian three years ago was an opportunity to try something different and somewhat daring. It was daring because The Georgian is a Four Star restaurant in the most prestigious luxury hotel in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest region. Because harmonica is something that is usually heard more in a bar or tavern setting in blues bands, it was somewhat bold to introduce it into such a posh setting. I think the young female Georgian manager at the time was a little nervous. But, there were two things that happened upon our initial gigs in The Georgian. For one, there was an instant chemistry between Jay and I that we recognized. It felt right and it sounded...great. And, two, the feedback from The Georgian staff and servers was predominantly positive. In fact, out of all the players that have come through the room, Jay is the staff favorite. Normally, no one will say much about anything, but when they go out of their way to make praise, it is something to take notice. As far as the feedback from the guests, Jay has received some of the most profuse positive comments. This duo has elicited more positive response than any other combination of players that I have worked with in The Georgian. It's the unusual combination of harmonica and bass that sparks the attention, but more so, Jay's skill and accomplishment on the instrument is the main reason for the positive feedback. On the other hand, we have also received the most vehement and negative feedback directed towards us. It's been just a few folks. But, like any situation where there is negativity it is highlighted and more grandiose. The negative feedback has been solely upon the sound of the harmonica and the belief that such an instrument has no place in a fine dining room such as The Georgian. Again, this goes back to the notion that the harmonica is an instrument that is not accepted in the same way as other traditional instruments. It's not supposed to fit. It's not the right image as it were.
I would agree with that sentiment if the harmonicist was not qualified and not performing at the utmost professional and high level. This is the furthest thing from the case with Jay. There is really no one else qualified that I am aware of in the region that can play what Jay plays and at his level of accomplishment. Make no mistake, there are outstanding harmonicists in the area such as Lee Oskar formerly of WAR who resides here and is of great renown in contribution to harmonica as well as a rock and roll legend. Because this gig is Jazz in The Georgian, the type of players who make their way into this room are some of the best jazz players in the area. Jay is one of those players. He covers many melodies and songs from the Great American Songbook and can improvise over the complex and harmonic progressions that is the basis of a qualified jazz musician. If you ever get to have a discussion with Jay over jazz discography, you will realize that he possesses a vast and deep knowledge of the jazz genre and of the major players and their recordings or historical importance.
Playing with Jay has been a real treat and privilege. A great musician and even more so a terrific person.
Here are a few videos that highlight just a sampling of our performances.
The first video is of a recording in July of 2010 of a real nice ballad called Old Folks. Jay and I have played this song dozens of times over these few years. This is actually the first recording of this song that we made. In my opinion this is the best version we have ever done of it. Jay is searing, soulful, and conveys a melancholy mournfulness. I got chills when I first heard this played back, and still do.
Old Folks
These next two videos are from April 13, 2013. Here is a rendition of the classic Benny Golson tune Killer Joe.
Killer Joe
Whenever we play we have to do a blues. This isn't so much a blues form because we're just vamping on a couple chords. But, the feel is a blues shuffle. We call this one Shuffle in F Thang. Feel free to dance. Enjoy!
Shuffle in F Thang
Jay is scheduled every second Saturday of each month for Jazz in The Georgian. Come on by and see and listen to this unique musical collaboration of harmonica and bass!
Please visit our YouTube channel to see and hear highlights of Jazz in The Georgian, and Smooth Groove Productions special events.
Jazz in The Georgian every Friday and Saturday nights, 6pm-10pm at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University Street, Seattle, Washington 98101, 206-621-7889.
Please visit www.smoothgroove.net
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