(Photo from dianeschuur.com)
Bert & I went to Jazz Alley again –
- this time to see Diane Schuur... err, excuse me, Deedles. She prefers the name “Deedles” which came from “Deedle Babe,” her mother’s term of endearment. Blind almost since birth, Diane grew up in Tacoma, Washington, had her first gig at age nine at the local Holiday Inn, and was discovered by Dizzy Gillespie at the 1979 Monterey Jazz Festival. She has two Grammys and just released her 19th album, Live in London.
(Photo from dianeschuur.com)
The show was amazing! Her bejeweled glasses sparkled in the spotlight as she jammed on the piano and let her velvet voice just rip. Man! She had the audience enraptured the entire performance.
Recently named one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world by Downbeat Magazine, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley is the west coast’s premier jazz venue, featuring the best of the best. A state of the art sound system, newly expanded stage, and over 100 seats (& not a bad one in the house), all more than make up for the pricey tickets and menu.
The food is actually quite tasty – that’s the consensus from various friends on random evenings. However, the wine list is unimaginative and a touch overpriced – so drink slowly.
Important Side Note:
Oscar Peterson, the internationally acclaimed jazz pianist & composer, will be performing at Jazz Alley at the end of September. Mr. Peterson has been entertaining for more than fifty years & has recorded with many great artists including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Fred Astaire, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker. Tickets are being pre-sold to this one, so make plans early. I can’t wait!
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