All songs this evening were Melvoin originals except "Gravy Waltz." The trio performed the first song, “Monday,” a minor structured piece that was quite soulful in content. Basse performed "The Eagle Flies on Friday" and went into "Uptown," the title cut from his soon-to-be-released CD. The quartet continued with a Monk-inspired composition of Melvoin’s, “But I Have To,” a rebuttal to Monk’s “Well You Needn’t,”  a very interesting and lively creation.  Solos were impeccable.  Basse sang a “down home blues” and went on to do “My Baby’s Waiting for Me” and “Gravy Waltz.”  The audience was really into the music and the tribute.   

Melvoin’s daughters were also on hand, who are both quite accomplished in music themselves. A lovely number featuring pianist Lang, “My Funny Valentine,” was dedicated to Lang’s mother, who was present in the audience.  Vocalist Polly Geller did a nice job singing “It’s Always You,” dedicating it to Melvoin.  A big highlight of the night was premier jazz vocalist Bill Henderson, who added a stellar performance of the ballad, “You Won’t Hear Me Say Goodbye,”  from Melvoin's CD, Capitol Sessions (sung by Hendrson with Charlie Haden on bass). He was backed superbly by Lang, Hughart and Penland.  Shelly Liebowitz, from Baldwin Pianos, talked about the special piano that has been loaned to the Culver Club for concert events and asked Mike Melvoin to sign this gorgeous instrument.   

The second set gave us some tremendous jazz music. The core quartet started off with another Melvoin instrumental creation, “I Like You,” which the audience truly enjoyed. Basse also tore it up with "The House of Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda Been." Several other vocalists and musicians sat in during this show.

The main highlight of the evening was “the man,” Mike Melvoin, coming to the stage and thrilling the audience with his stellar, bluesy composition, “So’s Your Mother.” Christlieb, Hughart and Penland all put forth brilliant solos.  Another musician, trumpeter Mark Pender, sat in for this tune and others.  His chops were some of the greatest ever!  Drummer and longtime friend, Bill Goodwin, told stories of music gigs with Melvoin and Lang from earlier years and sat in with the quartet, closing the evening with "52nd and Broadway" and "Traffic Jam." See websites: www.mikemelvoin.com and www.davidbasse.com. 

Reprinted with permission from L.A. Jazz Scene, January 2012 issue.