The Slide FX Tentet at Steamers©Glenn A. Mitchell

Steamers always presents big band entertainment on Monday nights.  It is not hard to imagine what most of the bands will sound like.  Slide FX Tentet is, however, a unique group made up of six trombones (four tenors and two bass), a rhythm section of Tom Owens--piano, Adam Uldall--guitar, Tony Candela--electric bass and John Ryskowski--drums.  On trombones are Dave Woodley, Roger Bissell, John Ward and Art Dragon with John Campanella and Rick Acosta holding down the bass trombone chairs.  Vocalist Jennifer Hart sang some beautiful numbers with them this evening, December 3rd.  Their music is from the Great American Songbook, but had quite a few jazz numbers and Christmas songs as well.

“A Foggy Day” opened the show with fine solos from trombonists Woodley and Bissell and a nice piano solo from Owens.  The band played “Days of Wine and Roses” with colorful solos from Acosta, Owens, Dragon, and Uldall.  

Slide FX’s spokesperson asked the audience to have some “heart.” Jennifer Hart joined the group, singing pretty versions of “Misty” and a seasonal song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” accompanied  by Woodley’s t-bone and rhythm section. The audience enjoyed Hart’s sweet style and the band’s work, giving them lots of applause.  “Cheek to Cheek,” done in an up tempo, added a brighter groove. Guitarist Uldall gave an expressive solo to the tune.  They closed the first set with George Gershwin’s “Liza,” with a dazzling solo by Woodley.  This is a good hang for captivating sounds on a Monday evening!    

The trombone artistry continued in the second set.  Highlights were: “Never Will I Marry,” solos from Ward and Bissell. Hart sang a beautiful, moving rendition of “When I Fall in Love,” “How Sweet It Is” and Vince Guaraldi’s gem, “Christmas Time,” continuing the festive mood in the room. Oliver Nelson’s great jazz composition, “Stolen Moments,” included a fantastic t-bone solo by Dragon, where the rhythm section not only backed him perfectly, but doubled the meter and made this probably the best number of the evening.  Another jazz standard, “Sugar” by Stanley Turrentine, kept the groove glowing.       

Slide FX Tentet ensemble has been a “regular” at Steamers for almost ten years.  They will be around a long time and should not be missed. 
 

Reprinted with permission from L.A. Jazz Scene, January, 2008 issue.