Of Perry Como, Tico Tico and country
— JazzSpring’s weekly selections on the Pudge’s patio are branching out.
“Lately we have gotten into playing the traditional song, ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic,’ because it has such a bluesy, 6/8 gospel feel,” said Melissa Stoudt, flutist and saxophonist for the duo JazzSpring.
A couple of other signature tunes on their set list are ‘Well You Needn’t’ by Theolonius Monk and ‘Tico Tico’ by Zequinha Abreu. “JazzSpring’s pianist, Ann Marie McIntire, created a pretty funny arrangement for Tico Tico with a dramatic tango type interlude and a ‘swingle singer-esque’ chrous. You gotta hear it,” Stoudt said.
This Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26, Herb Reinke, a guitarist, is sitting in for McIntire. Reinke played for a while as Perry Como’s guitarist and he pulls a beautiful sound out of his guitar, Stoude said. Connie Dussl will also be singing some tunes. Music starts about 7:30 p.m.
For more information, check out JazzSpring.com.
— Longtime area guitarist and singer Mark Stary, who is no stranger to Nashville, brings his unique style and attitude of hard country to Dick’s Bar and Grill on Wednesday night, July 31. Mixed in with the potent finger-picking are some smooth, mellow strains. A second guitarist who is regular with Stary and joins him on stage to produce that signature sound is Brian Johnson — and not the one of AC/DC fame.