Roger Neumann Quartet: (L to R) Dave Koonse (g); Ryan McGillicuddy (b) (rear); Roger Neumann (ts, ss); Denny Dennis (d). (Photo: Glenn A. Mitchell)

Roger Neumann brought a splendid quartet into the world famous Lighthouse Café, Sunday, May 18th.   Thanks to continued booking efforts of Gloria Cadena, Sundays have become extremely well-attended with jazz always at its finest.   

Neumann’s group featured longtime guitar favorite, Dave Koonse; Ryan McGillicuddy on bass; and Denny Dennis on drums.  The nice thing about jazz at the Lighthouse is that the musicians there always do two things: 1) They announce the tunes so the audience can be informed and educated; and 2) They select music from the Great American Songbook that plays well with jazz and also select an equally familiar set of jazz tunes.   

Opening with “Robbin’s Nest” by Sir Charles Thompson provided a nice easy jazz themed selection for the audience to enjoy.  All quartet members gave radiant solos.  Neumann mostly played tenor sax, but used a soprano sax on occasional tunes.  In “What Is This Thing Called Love,” he demonstrated the sound he has become known for - an authoritative, smooth and persuasive sound from his tenor.  McGillicuddy is the youngster in the group, but I have seen him a number of settings already and he continues to climb musically as a bassist. Koonse played beautifully, adding fresh ideas, smooth backing and delicious soloing throughout all the sets.  One of his many credits is working with George Shearing in the late ‘60s to early ‘70s.  Dennis has been performing with many notables in the entire Southern California region for several decades and is known for his excellence in eloquent time-keeping.    

Saxophonist Neumann mentioned the recent passing of pianist, composer and arranger, Bob Florence, and remembering how a couple of his big band members began a light starting of the wonderful ballad, “Laura.”  Then, the rest of the Florence ensemble joined in to complete it.   

Neumann mentioned the recent passing of pianist, composer and arranger, Bob Florence, who will be missed by the jazz community. A couple of the band members began to lightly play “Laura,” then they all joined in for this lovely ballad. The quartet repeated this same evidentiary exploration at the Lighthouse and the result was stellar in every way. Other standards included “There Is No Greater Love,” “After You’ve Gone,” “This Can’t Be Love,” “The End of a Beautiful Friendship” and their theme for the Lighthouse, “Sunday Blues at the Lighthouse.”  Each tune was carefully crafted and played with brilliance.  The audience showed their enthusiasm with lively applause throughout the afternoon.   

There is a framed photo permanently placed near the bar that shows Ozzie Cadena, who recently passed away, with Ozzie’s favorite motto, “The Musician Comes First.” Ozzie was first and foremost for the many musicians who played at the Lighthouse.  His dedication was enormous, but now his widow, Gloria Cadena, will continue to book and nurture the club that they both loved so much.  The jazz starts Sundays at 11 a.m. and is also presented on some weekday evenings.  The food at the Lighthouse, breakfast and lunch, is the best!  Please visit: www.thelighthousecafe.net. 

Roger Neumann has a bigger band he calls Roger Neumann’s Rather Large Band that performs every so often in the Southland.   

Reprinted with permission from the June 2008 issue of LA Jazz Scene. Glenn A. Mitchell is a bassist and reviewer living in Los Angeles.