The luminous Lynne Arriale at the Dakota

Lynne Arriale

Sunday, November 3, 2013: Lynne Arriale, piano; Gordy Johnson, bass; Dave Schmalenberger, drums

The occasion: a benefit for the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education. The draw: the gifted and elegant Lynn Arriale, who rarely comes to Minnesota.

With area musicians Gordy Johnson and Dave Schmalenberger, Arriale played two sets of standards, originals, and pop tunes made jazzy; her version of Blondie's "Call Me" stands alone and sounds as if were written for jazz all along.

Among the many songs we heard were "A Night in Tunisia," "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," Arriale's own "Yada, Yada, Yada," and a spirited "Yellow Bird," during which Arriale kept delaying the ending, returning again and again to the final two measures, changing them up, teasing Johnson and Schmalenberger.

Arriale's touch is exquisite and varied. Sometimes a silver hammer, sometimes a feather, always precise and expressive. I wish we had more chances to hear her live.

Dave Schmalenberger

Gordy Johnson

Schmalenberger, Arriale, Johnson

Arriale, Johnson, Schmalenberger

 All photos (C) 2013 by John Whiting.