I’m writing this as I leave for Mexico, and you’ll be reading it after I return.  Ah, the joys of deadlines. The stack of interesting CD’s keeps growing on my desk. Let me share a few stories with you. Remember John Adams? He has played a jazz concert here several times, and everyone who heard him remarked at his talent. Based in Dallas, he plays gigs all over the state to great acclaim. Maybe it’s time we got him back to Kerrville?

  John is president of his own company, Congruent Music, and can be reached through the website at www.congruentmusic.com. He performs as a trio, quartet and ensemble. His newest release, “With You In Mind,” has been played nationally on over 125 radio stations. His repertoire includes standards, pop and smooth jazz.

  An energetic bass player and composer, John is also another of those great guys to work with in Texas music. Believe me, I’ve met enough of them to declare that Texas music goes hand in hand with the great people who produce it.

  John not only leads four different groups, he also appears frequently as a concert artist and jazz clinician. He has backed vocalists Mel Torme and Rosemary Clooney and jazz starts such as Woody Herman, Randy Brecker, Chet Baker, Dave Liebman and others. He was the jazz-bass professor at the University of North Texas for ten years.

  Some of you remember that first rainy June jazz concert at the Point Theatre. Many of us joined John on the stage as we got closer to avoid the showers. Some of you came to the Lions Club concert in the Cailloux Center one October. Many were surprise, saying they had not heard this quality of music in Kerrville before. John always delivers, and this new CD features some other awesome musicians (including Mitch Watkins of Austin). Order your own then tell me what you think—for another column!

  The CD includes originals by John and songs by Sting, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Lennon/McCartney, and Freddie Hubbard. Our own Jurazzic Cowboys (Buzzie’s on Thursdays) would love this CD. Remember, we have local jazz groups to support. See www.jurazziccowboys.com for more information. Remember Mike Kasberg and his group often play at Francisco’s downtown. Yes, jazz is alive and well in Kerrville.

  Another story:  I first heard Michael Ballew in Austin at a club owned by Joe Heffington, who now lives here in Kerrville. Joe has kept up with Michael all these years. The latest news is a CD produced in Austin for Soul of the Heart Productions. Want the connection? Well, Mitch Watkins also plays on this CD! The liner notes, by Tony Byworth in London, England, say, “Just listen to the songs on this CD. This is the genuine stuff, right from the dark sides of dance floors to Texas gals in honky tonks, boot scootin’, rodeos and San Antone, cheatin’ songs and heart wrenching love ballads, western swing, steel guitars and fiddles. I can’t pick favourites. I won’t. I love ‘em all.”

  Yes, the CD contains blues, swing, country and the eclectic mix we all call “Texas.” When I got to the fourth song, “Top of the World,” I was ready to find a dance partner. Michael has charted with this music in Europe. Why does he end up a best-kept secret here?

    Check out www.michaelballew.com for more information. His CD contains the kind of writing we have come to associate with Texas. I happen to know that Joe Heffington also writes excellent songs. Maybe it’s time he quite supporting the talent around and put out some of his own work? If you know Joe, tell him I said so.  The third CD in my tall collection is by a name familiar to the dance hall scene in Texas, Jimmie Lee Jones. He hosts open mics at Poodies Hill Top Bar in Spicewood. Luckenbach and a Willie Picnic are not the same with Jimmie Lee. And this CD does capture his sound.

  Entitled “Real Go Gitter,” the CD leads you down an autobiographical trail, perhaps. Anyone who writes a song called “Sittin’ On a Hill in Comfort, Texas,” is bound to be telling his story. The photo on the back reveals a crew of real Texans. Even though Jimmie Lee did not write all the songs on the album, they become his as he sings them in his own Texas Hill Country style. Number 8 song, “Hondo,” gives credit to B.B. Morse, Roger Moon and Claude Luke. Now that a team to draw to!

  Roger, too, has his first CD out. We’ll save that for another column. Running out of time and space, as usual. I always seem to have more to say. Free Leonard and down the road to Mexico.

Free Leonard and down the road.  

Kathleen
kat@maverickbbs.com

www.texasheritagemusic.org

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