Duffy Jackson and Damian put on a great evening’s entertainment at the Spanish River Performing Arts Center, Yamato Road, corner of St. Andrews Boulevard, Boca Raton.
This was the second in a series of concerts presented by the organization the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. through April 2008.
Duffy Jackson, the irrepressible drummer/scat singer and his six talented sidemen: Alex Norris, trumpet; Mike Gold on alto sax, clarinet and flute; Tom Mitchell, tenor sax; Rick Doll, bass; Dolph Castellano, piano and Dante Luciani, trombone contributed impressive solo stints driven by the frenetic pace of Duffy on the drums—each without a note of sheet music in front of them.
Lester Leaps In got the evening off to a rousing start, followed by a sweet rendition of Rose Room. Solo passages by Dante Luciani on trombone and Alex Norris on trumpet on a beautiful old favorite, Polka Dots and Moonbeams was followed by Mike Gold with a clarinet solo on Stardust. Pianist Dolph Castellano played No Greater Love. Count Basie classic Jumpin’ at the Woodside showcased leader Jackson on his drums to conclude the first half of the evening’s concert.
Born and raised in jazz, Duffy has been performing since the age of four when his father, the late legendary jazz bassist, Chubby Jackson gave him his first set of drums. Jackson, Sr. played with the Woody Herman orchestra during the 40’s. Duffy at age 18 was touring the country with Lena Horne; at 20 with Sammy Davis, Jr. Since then he played with big name bands led by Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Lionel Hampton and Illinois Jacquet and worked with jazz legends Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Eckstine, Stan Getz, Buddy Rich and Harry “Sweets” Edison.
Damian, singer/comedian, well known by S & J regular concert goers, took over the second half of the show, singing many great favorites such as The Song is You, From this Moment On, You and the Night and the Music and a comedic spoof of Night and Day. In between songs, he regaled the audience with fresh and timely down to earth comedy.
The January 15, 2008 S & J concert features Ed Polcer and his Jazz All-Stars. Visit website www.swingand jazz preservationsociety.org for detailed information or call 561 499-9976.