Jazz Trio Keeps it Smooth at Bar Harbour

Massapequa’s Bar Harbor Library transformed into a jazz club recently when The Ronnie Whyte Trio graced the stage as part of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Distinguished Artist Series. 

The trio consisted of longtime jazz pianist Ronnie Whyte, bassist Boots Maleson and percussionists Vinson Valega. 

Whyte is a 50 year veteran of the jazz industry and has toured all over the world in various performancces. Maleson and Whyte have been touring together for the past 15 years. 

“I saw him playing and I knew I had to work with him,” Whyte said of his bassist. 

 Valega became a part of the trio when he worked with Whyte on the pianist’s eleventh studio album. 

 The trio has been a part of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Distinguished Artist Series for several years and performs in Massapequa at least once a year. 

 The program started off with an instrumental version of Harold Arlen’s “Get Happy” made famous by Judy Garland in the 1950 MGM film “Summer Stock.”. 

The number featured three solo sections where each member got to show off their talent. 

 Whyte brought new meaning to the term “tickling the ivory” and captivated the audience with his smooth like butter vocals especially during numbers like Gershwin’s “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” a slowed down version of Cole Porter’s “It’s De-Lovely” and amazing scat solo during Shearing’s “Lullaby of Birdland.” 

 Maleson and Valega also got their turn in the spotlight during an original number by Whyte called "Bass Ale," which featured lengthy yet mesmerizing solos by each of them. Maleson’s ability to switch his bow and his fingers during the performance and Valega’s transitioning between rhythms made the song not only fun to listen to but a unique experience to watch. 

Although the solos throughout the performance sounded as if they were done before, each solo was improvised right on the spot. 

“That’s what jazz is,” Whyte said. “There are things we did today that we’ve never done before.” 

Other program highlights included a blues section featuring selections such as A.C. Jobim’s “No More Blues”, Fisherberg’s “You Rather Have The Blues” and another Whyte original called “Hampton Blues.” 

 “My maid is sick and I can’t find the gin,” Whyte joked in his lyrics. 

 The grand finale consisted of a medley of songs from Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun,” each with their own unique jazz feel to them. The medley concluded with the song “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” which subsequently turned into a battle of solos between the trio, proving there really is “No Business like Show Business.” 

 This was the last of the Town of Oyster Bays Distinguised Artist Series. But concert goers will not be without for long. The Town of Oyster Bay’s Music Under the Stars is set to begin in early July.