C’est La Vie! Paris Washboard Charms Bickford Audience

Posted by Maria Miaoulis in Bickford Theatre, Morristown, NJ, Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews

August 4th, 2010   No Comments »

paris-washboard-band

The musicians of Paris Washboard (left to right) - Daniel Barda, Alain Marquet, Louis Mazetier & Stephane Seva. PHOTO CREDIT: ParisWashboard.org

Mon Dieu! Quelle nuit!

I knew something special awaited us last night – The Bickford Theatre was buzzing with excitement well before the show was scheduled to begin. For those of us who had been regularly attending the Monday night Jazz SummerFest shows, we were warned for several weeks to buy tickets for Paris Washboard in advance because in all likelihood they would sell out.

Hmmm…overrated or was the band really that good? I’m more than pleased to say it was the latter. Holy cow people! I probably won’t be able to do these talented musicians justice with this review, but I will do my best to explain how I fell in love with them yesterday.

I was hooked from the minute trombonist Daniel Barda, clarinetist Alain Marquet and percussionist Stephane Seva took the stage along with guest pianist Jeff Barnhart. They shuffled quickly to their places with mischievous grins, as if they were keeping a secret. But once they started playing, it was obvious they wanted to let you in on it. All you could do was sit there in wonder, hoping the night would never end.

As a traditional jazz band, albeit a European one, it was no surprise to hear several Duke Ellington tunes like “Frolic Sam” and “Up With Love.” Piano man Jeff Barnhart, known as one of the great “two fisted” pianists of the world, also paid tribute to Fats Waller with two feel-good solo pieces, “Honeysuckle Rose” and “This Joint Is Jumpin.” Other crowd favorites included “Hold My Hand,” “The High Society March” and “My Gal Sal.”

The atmosphere that night was one of light-hearted fun. You couldn’t help but smile when they flashed you a playful grin or exchanged cute jokes with another. For instance, Seva provided vocals for the romantic number, “Sweet Lorraine,” which he sang in French. While your heart melted with the smooth jazz chords, you had to chuckle as his bandmates showed how touched they were by putting their hands to their hearts or pretending to weep in response to the lyrics.

The catcalling they did with one another also made you feel as if you had a window into their private rehearsal. The set felt spontaneous and off the cuff. It was as if they were playing off one another, encouraging each other with a chorus of “heys,” “yeah mans” and the like. This upbeat attitude energized the audience to the point where it became an effort to sit still and not dance in your seat.

Watching each musician in his element was also exciting. Marquet was so engrossed in his clarinet playing – his body twisted around every note, as if this would make the sweetness of each melody that more understandable. Barda was clearly a master of the trombone, his instrument squealing with ecstasy all night, especially during “Rocking Chair.” With Barnhart, you felt like an old pal, gathered around his piano singing about the good old days. But perhaps the most charismatic of the four was Seva. It was mesmerizing to watch a grown man seated in front of a full miniature percussion section, manipulating cymbals, blocks and chimes to create the band’s unique percussive sound. He let loose on several thrilling drum solos, losing his drums brushes and other tools several times throughout the night.

I’m sure by now, you’re all wondering when you can catch Paris Washboard live to experience all this for yourself. Unfortunately, The Bickford Theatre had an East Coast exclusive with last night’s performance, so you’ll have to travel a bit to see them. But I assure you, it’s well worth the effort. For more information, please see their website.