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Lynn Olson Smooth Music Cruise Account Part 1
January 31 - February 4, 2009

Day One: Saturday, January 31, 2009 (Casual night)
Wineandjazz.com Event

Excitement stirred in the Crystal Room with a round of applause for Michael and Shiranda who tied the knot on the ship moments before we set sail. The happy couple, still clad in their wedding clothes joined us for the wineandjazz.com mixer. We shared wine with Mike and Cindy Nordskog while they talked about wineandjazz.com. Each month they select a wine or champagne to accompany an artist’s music for their gift sets. Mike introduced jazz editor, Jonathan Widram and certified wine specialist, Len Napolitano then saying, “The wine with the food and the food with the mood.” Mike added, “The same goes for the music.” Mr. Widran talked briefly about writing descriptions of the selected jazz and collaborating with Len for wine pairing.

Mr. Nordskog asked if a few previously-featured artists would talk.” Mindi Abair joined him on stage and talked about what an honor it was to be the guest writer for their March debut issue. They mentioned Wineandjazz.com paired a fine champagne with ‘Out of the Blue’ for the Abair gift set. Shilts came forward and talked briefly about their choice of a Shiraz for, ‘Smile for me’. He commented, “Cheers everybody. This isn't a bad way to start out the cruise.” He then asked, “What two things go together better than wine and jazz?” Mike said that last July Luna vineyard teamed up with Chieli Minucci’s music for his gift set.

When it came to Nick Collione he said, “I am a man of few words. I'm gonna pass because that is what I do. Come on out and stomp with me at a few jam sessions,” he quipped before exiting stage left.

Mike asked, “How come Nick gives Cindy a kiss and not me?” Nick turned around, grabbed him for a big hug and planted a lip lock on him. Everyone laughed vigorously as they continued to enjoy wine and mingling.

Day One: Saturday, January 31, 2009 (Casual night)
Alan Hewitt Event
Keyboard: Alan Hewitt
Special Guest: Greg Adams on trumpet
Special Guest: Steve Madaio on trumpet
Special Guest: Steve Oliver on guitar
Saxophone: Gerald Spikes (Paul Jackson Jr.)
Bass: Jervonni Collier aka JV (Bruce Hornsby)
Guitar: Brian Price (Jazz Crusaders)
Percussion: Johnny Sandoval
Drums: Chad Wright (Kieko Matsui)

I received a full dose of pre-concert excitement while listening to the sound check banter for Mindi’s show slated to follow the Hewitt event tonight.
Mindi asked, “Ok, let’s go back to this guitar thing.”
“Is this ok? Do you need more?”
“Let’s go to drums, guitar, guitar.”
“I'll take a little in the front, a little on the sides,” Abair quipped.
“Check, check stars,” Mindi said as she broke out in song. She added, "A little more on the sides. Let’s figure out that feed back. It seems to be on stars. Check, check. You want it from the first chorus? Do you want to hear it with the whole band to see if it comes back? Can I have a little more vocals on the side please? I think we're good guys. I think we found it.” She then thanked everyone for coming to sound check.

The stunning Lynn Briggs from 105.7 the Oasis smooth jazz radio station in Las Vegas, Nevada announced, “Welcome to the Smooth Jazz Norman Brown cruise! Happy New Year to you! Are you ready to hear some good music? Lynn asked. “Let’s kick things off with Koch Universal recording artist, Mr. Alan Hewitt.”

Hewitt exploded on the stage in a blast of white lightening. He lit it up with electric energy. This cat’s got some game and his musical fire was burning out of control.

After the, ‘Shaft’ (unrecorded), opener he thanked the audience and asked, “It's a good vibe eh?” He followed with a brief introduction for his special guest, Greg Adams on trumpet.

Gerald Spikes on saxophone grabbed hold of front, center stage blow, blow and blowin’. Joining Hewitt in the spotlight he magnified the soul of the guy in the white suit. Alan’s head was cocked to one side while he played blissfully in his zone. He pointed to Spikes to take over then walking away from his keyboard. Gerald was a superstar on this one and ran away with it. Spikes shined to glowing.

“How's everybody doin’? I'd like to thank Bob and Judy Jamison. They put this thing on and it is a lot of work. They did it for you. I have a new album coming out in March and I’d like to play a tune from it,” said Hewitt. His test drive was flawless! After that preview we will all look forward to Alan’s newest arrival! His xylophone magic put a spell on the keys while Spikes was blowin’ his lungs out on sax. The musical banter and chemistry between them was spectacular. They took the crowd to crazy.

Hewitt offered, ‘Nassau Blues’ (unrecorded by Adams or Hewitt), featuring Greg Adams knocking it down on trumpet. The tune was appropriately chosen for our seafaring adventure. Mid-solo Hewitt waved his arms furiously inviting the audience to share in an Adam’s moment. Greg’s sound was as crisp as a fresh apple on a sultry summer day. With pouched cheeks his circular note froze time. Alan was spot on with his comment about the timeliness of their Bahamas-themed tune choice. Adam’s seamlessly interlocked his throaty vibe with a fabulous Hewitt finale.

“Ok, I’m gonna bring out another one of my buddies,” quipped Hewitt. “We’re neighbors, so we hang out a lot together. Steve was on my last album and he loves music.” ‘Soleil’, (Metropolis CD), showcased Steve Oliver and his unique energy center stage. His guitar solo was second-to-none. After adding the Oliver touch he carefully delivered it to Alan initiating a playful volley between these two rockin’ guys. Hewitt struck the xylophone with unbridled exuberance. Double trouble broke wide open as these two ripped into it electrifying the stage. They took it from Steve to Alan, Alan to Steve, and so on, and so on and so on. In conclusion Alan called out, “Mr. Steve Oliver”, and the crowd went nuts.

When Hewitt introduced, ‘Joy Ride’ (Metropolis CD), he clapped his hands over his head motivating the audience to join in. His keyboard vibe accented the Spikes sax. And, oh what a groove Gerald has. Hewitt slipped it to JV Collier on bass. This cat got down thumping and bumping on his bass as he made his way back to Hewitt. From Hewitt to Spikes, it was keyboard crazy with Gerald wailing his sax alongside. ‘We’re rockin’ the boat,” Alan joked. So, are we gonna have fun or what?”

“We’re gonna bring out my friend Steve Madaio on trumpet on this one. He’s played with Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder. We’re gonna feature Brian Price on guitar on, ‘Big Bang’ (unrecorded). He is a Grammy nominee this year,” exclaimed Hewitt. Brian caressed the spotlight when he stepped up to the plate to deliver an off-the-hook guitar solo. Alan asked us, “Ok, we’re gonna need your help on this one.” A flood of audience participation streamed the Steve-Gerald riffs.

Madaio’s trumpet solo sparkled like rain against the fresh dew of morning. This seasoned veteran broke it wide open. Without warning Alan left his stage perch, jumped off the five-foot stage catapulting into the audience. From there he took the center aisle by storm with the sole purpose of high fiving folks the crowd. Meanwhile, Johnny Sandoval on percussion rolled out a stellar solo sealing the deal.

Gerald Spikes capped, ‘Hot Fun in the Summertime’ (Metropolis CD), with an awesome soprano sax solo. Alan and Gerald tore it up on vocals enticing Spikes center stage prowess to reinvent the tune. Ah, what a music moment that was! Alan coaxed the crowd, “Ok, it’s your turn now. I want to see how many singers I have here tonight. Let’s start with the girls. Come on you guys, you got the girls to beat. Ok girls, one more chance.” From guys to girls and back again, everyone was singing while they clapped. In the end a unanimous standing ovation led them to encore.

Their encore, ‘Swingin’ on Sunset’, (Metropolis CD), offered a fiery drum solo by Chad Wright volleyed smoothly to JV Collier on bass. JV got down and dirty on this one. That was some awesome bass playin’ my man!

Chad

continued to tear it up ultimately adding his touch of crazy fun by throwing his drumsticks into midair. Gerald took the sax to screaming once more time. Between sets the cruise director came out and asked, “What do you think of the ship?” In answer, full-bodied applause permeated the venue.

Day One, Saturday, January 31, 2009 (Casual night)
Mindi Abair Event
Saxophone: Mindi Abair
Keyboard/Synthesizer: Kevin Flournoy
Bass: Jervonni Collier aka JV (Bruce Hornsby)
Guitar: Brian Price (Jazz Crusaders)
Drums: Chad Wright (Kieko Matsui)

Wishing everyone welcome aboard Mr. Electric Smile himself, Norman Brown, took the stage saying, “Look at all the celebrities in the crowd! This is the ultimate musical vacation. Thanks to Alan Hewitt and Mr. Jamison. Are you ready for some more music? Here’s the beautiful Mindi Abair. What’s happening?” he asked. “Ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for the lovely and talented Ms. Mindi Abair.”

After exchanging a big high five with Brown she flitted across the stage like an electric butterfly. “You can stay on, you can groove with the person next to you.” she said while strutting to the center, back of the stage. With sequins glowing and hair shining she trilled like crazy yielding a wow from me! You go girl! The entire audience was grooving, dancing and clapping from the first moment. What’s not to love about this artist and her rockin’ style?

“This is something new baby called, ‘Mojo’, (Stars CD). The front, center spotlight captured her glistening platinum blonde hair again as she walked the half-moon of the stage, rolled it and turned it inside out. She drenched the audience tonight with her love of jazz. Her genius shone brightly. Brian Price on guitar and JV Collier on bass then entered a dual-like battle of the strings while Mindi looked on in admiration. The boys were rockin’ it when she cut back in. They were an electrifying threesome of music. “Give it up for Brian on guitar and JV on bass,” Abair called out.

“What a cool night. I’m wearin’ flats because the boat is rockin’. As a female sax player these are the things we girls have to think about. Guys don't have to worry. When I wrote this one it made me smile.” Appropriately, ‘Smile’ (Stars CD), was up. She hit it hard the minute the lights went up opening on vocals and rounding each corner with her sax. There were miles of smiles within the energy of the entire song.

“This next song breaks my rules. I usually record and write all my own songs. Please indulge me. Are there any Rolling Stones fans here?” Mindi’s edgy flair gave, ‘Miss You’, (recorded by the Rolling Stones), the Abair kiss of sultry-sexy. She mixed, twisted and made it her own. After witnessing her reinvent this jazzy wheel I swiftly concluded the Rolling Stones have nothing on this girl! The unanimous wow that followed was well deserved. The crowd buzzed as she flowed, glowed and blew the doors off the venue. Just short of breathlessness she sauntered over handing it to Flournoy on synthesizer. He carried it home with a great solo! Mindi danced and rocked it out while Kevin got more intense by the minute. “That’s Kevin Flournoy,” Abair proudly stated. “One of the first people I played with when I moved to LA was Kevin. Give it up for Kevin.” She sang, “Ooooh, ooooh.” “Just like ya sing it in the bar!” she quipped. Mindi was back up full speed, front with center spotlight on. The crowd loved her. Everyone was engaged. “Yeah, you can dance to the Rolling Stones.”

She brought out her soprano sax and said, “I'm gonna bring it down after that one. Get in a romantic mood,” she hinted while swaying with the audience. “On the high seas with great sunsets I want to dedicate this to my husband and the sunsets. I go on the road a lot. Sometimes my husband tells me to stay home, the stars are out tonight. I give in sometimes,” she admitted with a devilish grin. “This one is for him. It is called, ‘Stars’; (title track, Stars CD). Her vocals were full bodied and love filled this dedication to her man. The lyric, “The stars are out tonight,” carried her voice to the Venus and beyond. JV grabbed a hold of the slow and easy with his smooth bass and contented smile. As the lights lowered in the end the slow a beautiful quiet became her. Her love of jazz, music, the sax and her husband was evident.

“This next one we are going to turn it up a bit,” she announced. ‘Save the Last Dance’ (It Just Happens That Way CD), left her admitting, “Yeah, I felt that! That's a groove right? Keep it there.” The audience was in a full clap when sweet honey began to flow freely from her soprano sax. Everyone was into it when she wailed melodic sugar while holding down one crazy single note. She kept things going with her distinctive, “Yeah!” Reacting like a cobra, she recoiling across the front arch of the stage repeatedly. The crowd was dually mesmerized within this enormous wow moment. The imminent standing ovation came as no surprise. “You guys are the best”, she humbly admitted. “Thank you so much! You guys are some sweet rhythm sections.”

“‘True Blue’, reminds me of driving through on a tour bus with the band,” she shared. She breathed life into this cut with infectious energy and a unique-yet-sultry innocence. “Thank you so much,” she reiterated in conclusion.

Mindi announced, “I gotta do this next song. I don't usually do covers.” She said, “This is my version of, ‘Eagle Eye’,” when introducing, ‘Save Tonight’ (It Just Happens That Way CD). Her angelic voice opened the song with JV on vocals accompanying her in the backdrop. Collier added the perfect dose of smooth to this tune while he directed the band with precision. Mindi grabbed the soprano sax hanging poetically around her neck and wailed this tune to the moon. She kicked our souls into jump start.

“Later tonight,” she spoke playfully of the cruise. “Let it go on for five more nights,” she suggested. “Someone got married before we set sail. The dress was beautiful. Is the couple that just got married here? Oh, what was I thinking?” she blushed whoa fully. “And, I’m probably on TV now too!” she said hinting her embarrassment when she suddenly realized the on-going video of shipboard activities was rolling and being broadcast via in-room TV. She added, “Anyway, Congratulations! I have a pair of Privacy jeans for each of them.” She endorsed the company explaining they donate 10% of all their proceeds to breast cancer. “Very cool,” she commented. “Well, when you come out of your room I have a pair of jeans for each of you!” she joked.

“I wrote this next one with my friend.” It made me remember family and friends. It’s called, ‘Remember’ (It Just Happens That Way CD). She dedicated the song to the newlyweds and was back at it on alto sax. Her riffs were as piercing as her meadow green eyes. The light caught her glittery eye shadow just as the tune captured the moment.

“Now we’re gonna rock out for the rest of the time. They said you could get up on the tops of the chairs and dance to this one.” Excitedly she announced, “They said it is ok!” Mindy then took the venue by storm on soprano sax with, ‘Flirt’, (It Just Happens That Way CD). She pointed to the ceiling energetically and called out, “Here we go!” Everyone was dancing. The venue was turned inside out and upside down with Mindi Fever. People were dancing in the aisles as Abair took front, center stage clapping her hands above her head between her blasts of sax craziness. The crowd was having an unplugged blast. The venue was on fire and cookin’. Brian Price on guitar dished out an amazing solo prompting Mindy to say, “Oh, we’re not done. We gotta keep this party goin’. Give it to me two times. Give it three times. Take over JV!” she requested folding it over as he emerged from the side pocket and hit center stage for a rockin’ solo. The music volley between Kevin Flournoy on synthesizer and JV Collier on bass intensified when they shared back-to-back solos. Collier is one bad boy! He was givin’ it up like crazy while Kevin was knocking at the back door of their mania. What a great party! Brian Price’s guitar solo rounded it out just as Mindi strutted the center of the stage pointing to the ceiling with arm outstretched while she saxed it up. It was an awesome musical moment.

“You guys came to rock didn’t ya?” she asked. “This next song I wrote about stadium jazz. Just pretend the boat is a stadium with jazz playing.” She fired up and cut loose with the alto sax on, ‘Bloom’ (Life Less Ordinary CD). Price delivered a mini guitar solo amidst Mindi’s music mania.

“If you rocked on that one, you can dance on this one,” she said. Abair shared her experiences of playing sax in tiny sticky-floored venues. “That’s what’s goin’ for this one,” she added while introducing the next tune. “This one is called, ‘The Joint’ (Life Less Ordinary CD). She leaned down into the crowd from her stage perch and gave a high five to a lady dancing in front. The venue was dancing. It was obvious Mindi is no stranger to creating jazzy parties when she started with an overhead clap while bringing Price on guitar to the spotlight. “He’s sweatin’ tonight for you!” she boasted. Brian was center stage with JV and Mindi rocking along side. They all had the hip sway goin’ to the right and to the left. Price was a shining star during the Brian-Mindi duel. “Give it up. That’s Brian on guitar!” she exclaimed.

“Back here on my left on bass this is one bad dude. On bass this is JV.” Collier then delivered a bass solo amongst the pin-drop quiet crowd. When we joined him in jazz euphoria it sent shivers down my spine. JV is one of the kings of bass in my book. He is bad to the bone with indescribable stage presence and energy.

From there it was on to

Chad

for a fiery drum solo leading straight back to Mindi. Abair played wildly off Wright’s energy creating an intense party atmosphere. Things escalated to frenzy as she played like crazy. Off-the-hook energy is Mindi Abair! What a great pre-finale! “You guys are the best,” she said reintroducing the band. She noticed Mike and Sheranda (the newlyweds) dancing up front and gifted them their promised pairs of Privacy jeans.

“This is my favorite from my very first record. This one is called, ‘Lucy’s’, (Life Less Ordinary CD). The entire audience continued to wallow in sheer jazz insanity as she sang, “Da, da, da, da, da, da da.” Mindi’s blissful words had everyone clapping and carrying on. It was a wild party. There is nothing quite like the sparkling glow of Mindi’s singing. A cloud of jazz surrounded her zone. We were all lucky enough to join in as she led us into, “Da, da, da, da, da, da.” JV on back-up vocals reiterated the Da-da-da’s. Mindy blurted out, “They can sing and cruise!” There is no doubt Mindi is at the top of her game. From moment one throughout her entire show she gave it her all.

Norman Brown hit the stage asking, “One more time give it up for Mindi Abair. How ya doin’ out there Century? I saw you all getting’ your groove on.” He closed the night by saying, “Tomorrow we have lots to look forward to.”

Day One, Saturday, January 31, 2009 (Casual night)
Nick Colionne Event
Guitar: Nick Colionne
Keyboard/Synthesizer: Tim ‘the Rock’ Gant
Guitar: Buddy Fambro
Bass: Dave ‘Hollywood’ Hiltebrand
Drums: Chris ‘The Wildman’ Meskil

The stage came alive when Koch recording artist Nick Colionne, hit it wearing an uptown three-piece black suit complete with embellished stitching. His classy black and white hat said he had arrived. That hip fashion sense doesn’t miss a beat and neither does he! Nick’s explosive energy landed front and center striking a jazzy matchstick that started an inferno burning out of control. Flashbulbs popped wildly when he opened with the theme from the Godfather. Nick and Dave ‘Hollywood’ Hiltebrand jammed with infectious energy. I thought to myself, ‘Now, if we could just bottle up some of that and sell it we’d really have a money maker!’ Their camaraderie is priceless. “Alright, so some people stayed!” Colionne quipped.

His next choice of the night was, ‘No Limits’ (title track, No limits CD). Colionne bliss covered his face as he courted and made sweet love to his guitar. He sprang the place wide open with boundless energy and his house-rockin’, jazzy style. “I don’t know why they put me up here tonight when they know I’m tired,” he joked. “Those people can’t come tomorrow night and I know who they are! I’m selling CDs. I’m trying to raise money. I’m supposed to be Governor of Illinois, but my car wouldn’t start. The guy that got there before I did won.”

“I wasn’t gonna do this song but I had a number of requests for it. I’m very timid. I just had to do it.” He alluded to feeling very spiritual that night. His soulful version of, ‘Rainy night in

Georgia

’, (Keepin’ it Cool CD), came from the depths and was as spiritual as they come.

He sang, “Heavy rain a fallin’ seems like I hear your voice callin’ “It’s all right.”
“A rainy night in Georgia, A rainy night in

Georgia

.”
“It seems like it’s rainin’ all over the world.”
“I feel like it’s rainin’ all over the world.”

I could feel and taste the rain. Nick’s vocals and fingering were stellar.

He continued, “Neon signs a-flashin’, taxi cabs and buses passin’ through the night.”
“A distant moanin’ of a train seems to play a sad refrain to the night.”
“A rainy night in Georgia, such a rainy night in

Georgia

.”

I could see the neon lights flicker as he captured the moment perfectly.

He sang, “I find me a place in a box car, so I take my guitar to pass some time.”
“Late at night when it’s hard to rest I hold your picture to my chest and I feel fine.”
“But it’s a rainy night in

Georgia

, baby, it’s a rainy night in Georgia I
feel it’s rainin’ all over the world, kinda lonely now, and it’s rainin’ all over the world.”

The muggy feeling of sticky rain hovered in the air as he took us to a solemn place in a boxcar on a very lonely night. When he played quietly to the front row he stopped time. He mimed the guitar muttering with eyes closed, “Oh yeah.” He brought it back up yet left it in the shadows of mystery.

“So, it’s been a good day for everybody? Did you get enough to eat, enough to drink? I’m gonna buy y’all a drink. A great big glass of water with six-hundred straws! We just flew in from the big windy and the CDs are cold-blooded now,” he quipped as he began working the crowd for music sales. “John, maybe you can do the official commercial music. I can bring the CDs by train, boat, bus or plane”, Nick relentlessly cajoled. He leaned into an audience member and said, “I see you with your arm around that big boy. I hope you’re pick-pocketing him so you can by a CD.” Nick is anything-but-typical and hilarious to a fault.

‘Hurry up This Way Again’ (Just Come on In CD), lured a female audience member to dance in the aisle while John Erickson, Dave ‘Hollywood’ Hiltebrand and Buddy Fambro took the stage by storm. Camera bulbs exploded again when our resident crowd pleaser, Nick, dished out countless mini serenades. He took it deeper into the audience persuading us to get more into him minute-by-minute. His animation came alive as they spurred him further down the path he was treading. When he went up the center back his energy was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Before I knew it his costume change yielded a yellow satin ensemble showcasing his paisley-embossed suit with matching shoes. By this time he was further into the zone and gyrating like crazy.

“You know, for this next song I’m gonna bring out Jim Peterik. He’s a legend in his own time. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Jim Peterik and Lisa McClowry. Jim Peterik, are you here?” When silence answered he wondered aloud, “You’re not here?” In his absence Nick orchestrated his previously-advertised guitar giveaway announcing the winning name to an ecstatic audience member. After the excitement quieted Nick shuffled back to the music explaining Jim had co-written their next tune, ‘Melting into You’ (No Limits CD). Nick, Jim and Lisa teamed up to carry this song to sheer bliss. This cut pushes the CD to can’t-live-without-it in my book!

“I’m gonna do a tribute song. I was sitting down thinkin’ and it hurt,” he joked. There are tribute songs to everybody, Luther and Grover but none to James Brown. I’m gonna do a tribute to my man, James Brown.” While imitating James Brown he said, “Fellas, Fellas.” The resemblance was uncanny. ‘Godfather J’ (No Limits CD), licensed him to cut loose! He called out, “Can y’all feel that groove?”

He pointed to Dave ‘Hollywood’ Hiltebrand who came forward, took a bow and whipped out a stellar bass solo Hollywood-style. While Dave was playing Nick started to slip slide along the stage James Brown-style. He finished it off dancing next to Dave calling out, “Hollywood.” Tim ‘The Rock’ Gant was insane on synthesizer. After Fambro completed a snippet of, ‘On Broadway’, Nick asked us, “Put your hands together for Buddy Fambro.” Buddy continued to tear it up on his solo. What a jam! That was some body and soul in this ‘reporter’s’ opinion!

Nick said, “I know you’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We have a young gentleman on the drums. I don’t know what to say about him. He is ‘The Wildman’ ladies and gentlemen. Please give it up for him.” ‘The Wildman’ Meskil outdid himself on his kickin’ drum solo! After his drum handiwork Nick said, “What did I tell ya? So, anyway, did you have a good time tonight?” The crowd cheered as he cocked his ear enticing us to intensify our kudos. As the clapping and screams gained fervor a satisfied Nick said, “That sounds pretty good!” Our jazzy frenzy ended with lights up and an over-the-top blown away crowd buzzing in Colionne afterglow.

© February, 2009. All rights reserved. All information presented is copyrighted by Haven Entertainment Inc. and author (Lynn M. Olson) except where otherwise noted. No portion of this work may be reproduced, displayed or sold without the express written consent of the both Haven Entertainment Inc. and the author. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.