Wynton Marsalis at the Paramount

My Pops, who has taken to calling himself, "cool papa bell" of late, is a member of the board of directors of the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, NY. This historic theatre, built in 1930 as a 1500-seat movie house, today provides live performances, arts-in-education programs, films, and visual art exhibitions to the mid-Hudson region.

On Saturday, 27 January Wynton Marsalis headlined an incredible although too-short benefit performance at the Paramount. Marsalis' quintet, included Walter Blanding on tenor sax, Ali Jackson on drums, Dan Nimmer on piano and Carlos Henriquez on bass. They were accompanied by Joe Lovano and a delightful 21-year old woman, alto singer Jennifer Sanon. Playing before a sold-out house.

One of my favorite pieces was composed by Marsalis, titled "The Magic Hour," in reference to the time in which parents prepare their children for sleep. The composition, in four parts, followed the child's frenetic energy, to bath and brushing of teeth, to reading of bedtime stories, and finally to lights-out and falling asleep. The decrescendo over the four pieces echoed the (hoped for!) descending energy of children at bedtime. Casting a wide grin, Marsalis intoned that after hearing this section, we would be treated to the "adult's magic hour," leaving us to our own imagination of what the four parts (with an apex and denouement) would entail. What a treat.
If you're not familiar with Marsalis' work, or history as an artist, composer and organizer, check out Jazz at Lincoln Center, an organization and performance space for which Marsalis continues to be the driving force.