Of all the concerts that I have been to this year – the Keter Betts birthday celebration was by far the best. Keter Betts is a legendary bassist who lives in the Washington, D.C. area. Keter has played with such greats as Dinah Washington, Clifford Brown, Count Basie, Nat Adderley, Bobby Timmons, Sam Jones and many others. He also played with the great Ella Fitzgerald for over 25 years. To say he is a living legend in jazz would be an understatement.

The first part of the concert included performances by several local artists who had the pleasure of working with Mr. Betts. The line up included Robert Redd on piano, his brother Chuck Redd on drums, Tom Williams on trumpet, Charlie Young on alto saxophone with Michael Bowie and James King took turns on bass. The group performed well and in my mind they must have played together in the past. Tom Williams (who is also an accomplished drummer) was simply electric on the trumpet ? making it seem a lot easier than I know it is. I have heard him live once before and he is a tremendous talent. I was really impressed with the playing of Charlie Young. He allowed the fantastic rhythm section to fill in the spaces between his well thought out and wonderfully executed lines ? something I will make a note to do when I play myself.

Two amazing vocalists also joined the group. I will admit to not being a big listener of vocal jazz ? but these women changed my mind by grabbing a hold of my ear and subsequently my soul with amazing performances. Sharon Clark opened her mouth to sing and the audience (myself included) literally gasped at the beauty and feeling in her voice. It was stunning! Delores King Williams sang with an energy, gentle fire and charisma that held my attention from beginning to end. I made a mental note to attend ANY area concerts that included either of them.

The highlight of the evening for me was an interview with the man of the hour ? Keter Betts. Keter discussed many topics such as his reason for pursuing music and life on the road as a jazz bassist. He is a very wise and charismatic speaker and everyone in the room was educated. He discussed the important relationship between a bassist, drummer and piano. He described the bass as the middleman playing the chords of the piano and the rhythm of the drums ? a concept that I had never considered. He also mentioned something that he told me once on the phone once when I had the pleasure of speaking to him about playing trumpet. The horn (or piano, sax, drums, bass) is not making the music. The PERSON is making the music. The instrument is simply the medium of expression. I have always tried to remember that when playing.

After the interview, Keter did what he does best? made music. He performed several songs and showed why he is greatly respected in the jazz world. The audience was in the palm of his hands. He seems as comfortable playing bass as I do drinking a glass of water or closing my eyes to go to sleep? it?s effortless but my goodness the man can swing. He is the same charismatic and approachable person on stage as he is off.

As much as the people in that room loved Keter Betts, I have a feeling they left loving him, his talent and his jazz legacy even more. I know that I did.

Happy Birthday Keter! The first (and second) round of golf is on me.

I managed to create two new sound files in the soundroom. It definitely isn’t my best work but I wanted to keep something current up and available.