Smooth Groove Productions Blog: Jazz in The Georgian, June 21, 2013

On Friday, June 21, 2013 we had the awesome tenor saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev back at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel for Jazz in The Georgian. For those familiar with Alexey, he is a fiercely aggressive powerhouse sax player and musician. It is a special treat to see and hear him at The Georgian as he reigns in the volume of his playing, yet retaining that same aggressiveness and intensity. I marvel as I witness his virtuosic improvised lines and melodic runs up and down his instrument at a fraction of his normal playing volume. When Alexey first played in The Georgian he was and is very enthusiastic about the challenge of playing at a pianissimo level as well as the challenge of performing in an instrumentally sparse setting as a sax and bass duet. It's been a great revelation and privilege for me to play with such a master musician as well as such a great person. I think that this night was probably our best gig together yet. We played lots of great tunes and had some great moments.

Here are some videos that capture a very fun evening.

This first video is of a classic Wayne Shorter song in 3/4 called Footprints.

Footprints

This next video is a blues song by John Coltrane. Unfortunately, we couldn't remember the name of this tune! Perhaps someone will recognize it and let us know! We'll call it Coltrane Blues in F for now.

Coltrane Blues in F

The last video is an old wonderful Duke Ellington ballad called In A Sentimental Mood. We don't play it as a ballad though. This is our funkified rendition of this great standard.

In A Sentimental Mood

I hope you enjoyed these videos of Alexey Nikolaev and me. Alexey will be back for more great saxophone and bass music next month on Friday, July 19. Come on out and see some great live jazz music at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in The Georgian. Jazz in The Georgian, every Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm-10pm.

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.