A Lively Night Of Jazz At The Crossroads

Posted by Maria Miaoulis in Dave Ginsberg, Dr. Cliff Howell, Jazz Events, Radam Schwartz, Recaps & Reviews, Yvette Glover

May 13th, 2010   No Comments »

David Ginsberg blows the crowd away

Imagine entering a funky restaurant or club. You find a table and settle down with a hearty meal and libation in hand. The stage suddenly lights up featuring musicians with shiny instruments at the ready. As the drummer counts off the beat, the organ comes to life, its first notes sending a shiver of excitement through you.

No matter where you’re sitting, vibrations emanating from the congas penetrate your very being. The subtle guitar riff speaks to your soul, its bluesy vibe getting your feet tapping. Then your ears perk up at the sound of a trumpet playing, its lively melody bringing all activity to a standstill as everyone stares transfixed.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a mere glimpse of what patrons experience every Tuesday night at The Crossroads in Garwood, NJ. Incredible talent in a chill atmosphere, weekly Jazz Jams showcase a wide array of professional musicians and vocalists, providing an absolute feast for the senses.

Major props go to the night’s instrumentalists – the great Radam Schwartz on Hammond B3 Organ, trumpet virtuoso Dave Ginsberg, conga player Butch Johnson and guitarists Dr. Cliff Howell and Henry Gershwin.

The band’s mix of fast-paced, intricate tunes was a far cry from the stuffy, sluggish catalogue of songs most might associate with jazz. Sampling everything from Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” to standards like “September in the Rain,” no stone was left unturned. More importantly though, they were all well-executed and captured the viewers’ attention.

Listen to a 30 second clip of “No Woman, No Cry”:

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The intensity with which the musicians played cannot be overlooked either. Ginsberg’s trumpeting was superb. He spent most of the night doubled over, his body contorting with each new refrain he played, mesmerizing everyone. Schwartz especially was engrossed in his performance – his body moved melodically with every tune, putting that much more emotion into each piece.

Several vocalists took the stage as well, Benson and Yvette Glover among them. Benson’s interpretation of the Ella Fitzgerald classic “All the Things You Are” was full of soul, as he alternated between his soft and deep registers in delivering the poignant lyrics. Ms. Glover took on the Dinah Washington single “Teach Me Tonight.” Her commanding voice and heart-warming smile enhanced the song’s romanticism.

The highlight of the early evening set was the band’s rendition of the Bobby Timmons’ classic “Moanin’.” Each instrumental solo left the audience positively swooning as the musicians’ fingers glided across their equipment, making the whole thing look effortless.

Listen to the drum break and solos on “Moanin’ “:

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Overall, it was a night of lighthearted, feel-good fun, leaving everyone wanting more.

Every Tuesday at 9:30pm is Open Jazz Jam at Crossroads. Feel free to drop in for a listen  – and if you’re a singer or musician, be sure to bring your instrument and see Stan Myers for a chance to jam.



Crossroads is located at:

78 North Avenue
Garwood, NJ 07027

908-232-5666

More photos of the evening’s events:


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