Thanksgiving Week At the Acton Jazz Café

Editors Note:

For a quiet town like Acton, it's unusual to have a vibrant jazz café that hosts live music almost every night of the week. Acton Patch asked café owner Gwenn Vivian to write a record of Thanksgiving week at the Jazz Café.

Thanksgiving is a weeklong celebration at the café. Starting Tuesday and ending Saturday, with Thanksgiving night off, seven live bands played for packed crowds at the Jazz Café. First-time performers, veteran musicians and a ten-piece disco act provided local live entertainment.  

Here's Gwenn's recounting of Thanksgiving week at the jazz café.

Tuesday, Nov. 23:

The kids were home from college. No Soap Radio (NSR), a young and coming alternative/ indie band from Acton, booked the night. Opening for NSR was Pesky J. Nixon, an acoustic trio of brilliant licks and lyrics. Young Acton adults spread the word on Facebook, and the crowd grew to capacity. Those who had not seen one another in many weeks embraced, imbibed, snacked, and swayed to the music.

Wednesday, Nov. 24:

Pianist/ vocalist Paul Broadnax and upright bassist Peter Kontrimas played their weekly Wednesday night dinner set. Paul's deep baritone voice reflects a long career filled with humor, humanity, and hundreds of great classic jazz tunes.

Then, at 9 p.m., the 14th Annual Blues Jam kicked in. Everyone came out. Guitarist/ vocalist/ bandleader B.J. Magoon orchestrated the night, and again reclaimed the title of King of The Blues Jam. Guitars, keys, drums, singers and horns.

Thanksgiving Day:

All was dark and quiet.

Friday, Nov. 26:

Vocalist Annette Philip performed for the first time at the café with an astonishingly talented quintet. The international flavor of the jazz repertoire; the energy and the instrumental facility blending with Annette's expressive voice was much like a fine dessert—some chocolate, some raspberry, some finely chopped nuts.

Around 9:30 p.m., blues harmonica diva Cheryl Arena was back in town from Texas, and she called on members of The Love Dogs, a local/national swing band, to back her up and to be their funky selves.

Draught beer flowed, burgers sizzled, dancers got moving, and the room filled with smiles.

Saturday, Nov. 27:

The Bobby Keyes Band joined us. Bobby is the blues guitarist's blues guitarist, and so much more. You just can't get this kind of warmth in a room with an iPod.

At 9:30, Booty Vortex, a 10-piece disco band, headed up by the brilliant and gorgeous lead singer, Julia Cruse, took over the house and played to a capacity crowd. There were sequins and animal prints; shoes and boots to die for. Specialty martinis were the drink of the night. Disco lives!

The Sunset Jam at 4, hosted by vocalist Wendy Nottonson and the Starlight Jam at 7:30, hosted by saxophonist Joe Raia. People made music, people listened, and we all let ourselves digest a full week of taking the time to celebrate gratitude.

Sunday, Nov. 28:

Getting ready for the next holiday, pumpkin and gourd decorations in the lobby were replaced with evergreens and bright velvet ribbons.