Betty Bryant returned to the Los Angeles Athletic Club last night, where the Invention Room on that building's third floor once again became the Jazz Salon. Last night's show was a little different from previous concerts, as Judd Pillot was out of town, visiting his family, so there were no drums. Instead, it was a trio setting, something I had not seen at one of Betty's performances before.
Just after 6 p.m., Betty Bryant began making her way to the piano, the sunlight through the large windows catching in the cane she uses, giving it a bright, magical look, that detail in itself preparing us for the magic of her music. And soon she was seated at the piano and ready to go, Dave Ross on bass to her right and saxophone player Rob Kyle stage left. Before starting the show, Dave mentioned how it had not been a normal 4th of July because of the peculiar and disheartening state of the country, but that music has the ability "
to wash all that anxiety and stress away." I imagine that was exactly why many of us were there. He also mentioned that Betty Bryant has been performing in Los Angeles since 1954. For those who aren't already aware, this incredible jazz performer is 96 years old. Yup, 96 and still doing a two-hour show (artists who are a fraction of her age could learn a thing or two). She began the first song, an instrumental number, solo on piano, and a few moments later was joined by Dave and Rob. Each of the three musicians delivered an excellent lead, receiving applause from the audience, and reminding us that life is pretty damn good. Betty Bryant's rendition of "Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me)" was playful, yet also warm. I love how she dipped into her lower register on the world "
blues."
Betty Bryant started "I Remember You" on piano. "
You're the one who made my dreams come true," she sang. And isn't that something? Even if it's in the past, it's remarkable just to have experienced that at all. And as Betty played, those in the audience experienced a bit of that again, that wonderful feeling, one of the best parts of being alive. Great music, great performers can do that for us. After that song, a slight adjustment was made to the piano bench, and Betty told the crowd why she doesn't take chances with that anymore, how one time a seat caved in. "
I disappeared behind the piano," she said with a laugh in her voice. The trio then played "When Did You Leave Heaven." "
I am only human, and you are so divine," Betty sang, while her piano playing was both earthly and divine. And then Rob's saxophone lifted us to the mountain top toward the end of his lead. That was followed by "I Can't Walk Like Tina Turner In My High-Heeled Shoes," a song that Betty wrote. It was a total delight, particularly her vocal delivery in that first section. That was followed by "He May Be Your Man," which began with some good, bluesy piano work, and featured some smooth, delicious work on saxophone. "
If he flags my train, I'm sure gonna let him ride." The first set ended with "A Lot Of Livin' To Do." This song expresses precisely the attitude we all need to adopt.
As with the first set, the second set opened with an instrumental number. That was followed by "'S Wonderful." You can never go wrong with Gershwin, as I'm sure you know. "
Paradise," Betty sang, and indeed, any place can become paradise when this music is playing. Her piano work felt like a dance through this world, through this life. And what better way to go through it? This set also included "I Got Rhythm," because, again, you can never go wrong with Gershwin. When she sang, "
And I got starlight," her eyes sparkled with their own light. We seemed to have everything we could need in that room. Who could ask for anything more? This song featured an excellent lead on bass, and after it, Betty offered a bit of scat. That was followed by "The More I See You," which also featured a wonderful lead on bass. The song was so bright, so cheerful. The trio then dipped into the blues with "Stormy Monday," with Betty delivering some seriously cool work on piano. And Rob's saxophone lead seemed to course through our veins, opening us to a special kind of warmth. There was a current that ran both below and above us. And I loved how Dave's lead on bass kind of sneaked into those deeper places. The set concluded with "It's Hard To Say Goodbye," a song that Betty Bryant included on her 2019 album
Project 88, and which she introduced as "The Goodbye Song." What was especially delightful was the way she delivered the line, "
You're ooh, you're ah." The show ended at 8:32 p.m. If you have not yet seen Betty Bryant perform, I highly recommend making the effort to get to her next show, which is scheduled for Sunday, August 2nd.
The Los Angeles Athletic Club is located at 431 W. 7th St. in Los Angeles, California.
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