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Braden-Rapp: Warm Expressions on a Cool Night
A review by Natasha Huang
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Monday night blues will never be a problem again after hearing the contemporary yet classic tunes, reinvented by the musical stylings of Marc Rapp and Don Braden. Celebrating the exciting debut of their latest album, The Strayhorn Project, the night was filled with magnetic energy and extraordinary musicianship. By taking the classic jazz cat basis of Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, both Braden and Rapp created a world in which the soul and heart of a traditional piece was truly brought to life.
The group—consisting of Don Braden on saxophone and flute; Mark Rapp on trumpet; Art Heuronova on piano; vocalist Sachal Vasandani; Rene Hart on bass; and Alvin Atkinson on drums—had tremendous expression and vibrant energy effused through to the entire audience. The group was all smiles and laughs as they continued to capture the moments from Billy Strayhorn’s songbook. Braden mentioned he was going to take us on a musical “adventure,” and he wasn’t kidding. Classics such as “Pretty Girl” and “Satin Doll” were performed with such intense passion and emotion that it was truly hard to sit still! Swinging and swaying, the duo’s collaborative sophistication was imaginative and joyous to hear. Rapp arranged a piece called “Daydream,” which had a very swanky and dreamy tone. Along with their recomposed classics, Sachal Vasandani sang a melodious love song, “Something to Live For,” which almost brought tears to my eyes.
Held at Feinsteins at Loews Regency at 8:30 p.m., the group dazzled the audience with 90 minutes of classic jazz tunes arranged with colorful and eccentric twists. The stage had a beautifully lit backdrop that accentuated the relaxed ambience of the space. As a true Cabaret nightclub, the décor of the venue was old world classic with beautiful heavy drapes and traditional red velvet booths. However, there is a required $25 minimum per person, but that’s easily met with two simple cocktails or a delicious artichoke heart appetizer.
Among the audience were Braden and Rapp’s executive producer, Gail Boyd, as well as their producer, Billy Terrell. Special thanks were given to Miller Wright for booking the group. Both Braden and Rapp’s beautiful wardrobes were provided by Blanc de Chine, who did an amazing job of taking a classic suit and tying in a subtle Oriental feel.
For those of you who have not heard Braden and Rapp perform, you are truly missing out on jazz in its truest form. The debut of their CD was a success, so congratulations to the group!
To learn more about the Braden and Rapp ensemble, please visit: www.bradenrapp.com.