Lately I've had the pleasure of seeing some really great jazz at F. Scott's Restaurant and Jazz Bar here in Nashville. F. Scott's is not normally a jazz club, it's more of a restaurant that happens to have music. But lately that seems to be changing, at least when I have stopped by.
For example:
On a recent Wednesday evening, when I stopped by to check out guitarist Cliff Richmond and his quartet, I was treated to a great evening of music, that led to a jam session lasting nearly two hours past closing time. Cliff is so well regarded by the musicians in Nashville, that they just love to be around and play with him. On that particular Wednesday, Cliff's and his quartet consisting of Karlton Taylor (piano), David "Smitty" Smith (drums) and Chris Kent (bass), were joined by saxophonist Ricky Woodard, in town visiting from Los Angeles, fluetist Alvin Fisher in from Washington, DC, and some of Nashville's finest including saxophonist Max Abrams, vocalist's Scat Springs, and two other vocalists who's names I can't remember, but who's performances I won't soon forget. What was even more surprising was the diverse crowd hanging out with the Green Hills regulars.
Last Saturday night, I stopped by F. Scott's again, to see pianist Karlton Taylor with his ensemble featuring David "Smitty" Smith (drums) and Jerry Navarro (bass). The same thing happened, they were joined by Michael Fair (flugel horn), Cliff Richmond (guitar), Kristin Porter (vocals) and wonderful vocalist that had every woman's attention and every man's envy. Again, the music didn't stop until they exhausted staff turned the lights on.
Not every night is a jam session, but there is always great music when I go there. I had a friend in town from New York, who wanted to hear some jazz after a day spent at a country music convention, and off to F. Scott's we went. On this particular Thursday night, we were treated to a swinging set featuring Nashville piano legend Beegie Adair performing with former Count Basie drummer Duffy Jackson.
As Nashville continues to grow into a modern and sophisticated city of the future, I predict it will also live up to the name "Music City."
