[caption id="attachment_2600" align="alignleft" width="450" caption="copyright by Mariann Moery 2010"][/caption]
The Sunday afternoon concert held at the East E. 4th Street Community, a memorial to musician Bob Bowen (aka Robert Emmett Bowen III) who died August 30 the result of a bike accident, ended in a crescendo of sound under Roy Nathanson’s direction.
Many of the musicians who’d played earlier returned as part of the grand finale: 10 colleagues and friends billed as the ROY NATHANSON CONDUCTION. Well known as performers, composers and professors on the jazz music scene, they were having a grand time, laughing, jamming, blasting away in Bowen’s honor. Mr. Bowen’s mother, Rita Vasquez, sat in the front row, accepting the acknowledgement.
The group consisted of three trombones—Brian Drye, Jacob Garotchik and Ben Gerstein; a baritone guitar—Khabu Doug Young; a drummer—Vincent Sperrazza; three saxes: a soprano played by Mr. Nathanson, and two tenors—played by Sean Sonderegger and Ohad Talmor; a trumpet—Russ Johnson; and a Melodica—played by the only woman, Deidre Rodman.
As the day progressed the weather got cooler, the sky greyer, but the music just took off. Mr. Nathason’s prancing and pointing served as baton, while his silver goatee and bald pate illuminated the ½ hour performance. Everyone was dressed in Sunday casual: six musicians wore glasses, and another two shades; and two wore hats: a black pork-pie and a plain kufi with an embroidered rim.
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The event was sponsored by INGARDENS CONCERT SERIES, whose new director, Tricia Smit, glowed at its success. For info about future events, check info@visionfestival.com.