Sarasota Jazz Festival - Gates and Lamb in spotlight

Giacomo Gates

Connecticut-based bop/vocalese singer Giacomo Gates took the 33rd annual Sarasota Jazz Festival by storm last night, sharing the evening's spotlight with former Ellington bassist John Lamb.

Lamb was a strong part of the headliner's rhythm section - after receiving the Jazz Club of Sarasota's Satchmo Award for his outstanding contributions to jazz as a performer and educator. After getting off the road, he settled in St. Petersburg in 1967 and spent nearly 30 years teaching in the Pinellas County School System. He is still one of the area's most in-demand bass players.

John Lamb

Lamb and Gates

"I do not take this honor lightly," Lamb told the Players Theatre audience as he joined an honorees list that includes Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan and Dick Hyman. "It represents thousands and thousands of people and their good works. I feel blessed to have been part of their lives."

Gates performed two solid sets with pianist Mac Chrupcala, Lamb and drummer Patricia Dean. Gates has worked with Chrupcala in southern New England, but it was his first time out with the other bandmates, who he'd only met that afternoon. His rapport with Lamb was creative and special all night long.

Gates artfully blended ballads with vocalese classics, including three tunes from his new High Note CD Miles Tones, which is based on music written and/or performed by Miles Davis. This was his first trip to southwest Florida and, based on the reception he received from the crowd of 300+, it won't be his last.

JazzTimes has posted my full review of the concert.

Giacomo Gates, Mac Chrupcala, John Lamb, Patricia Dean