The Sons of Brasil are among the tightest bands in Kansas City. They came well prepared and ready to play, as I was surprised by such a cheap cover of three dollars. The combination of Stan Kessler’s trumpet, Greg Whitfield’s bass, Danny Embry’s guitar, and Doug Auwater’s drums kept the club filled with grooving music all night. I was only disappointed by two things. The first was that Roger Wilder, an amazing piano player, wasn’t there for the evening. The second was the music offers rich dance rhythms and Jardine’s has little room to accommodate movement.

With their Brazilian flavor, this combo could really put Kansas City on the map for jazz once again. I feel like it is my duty to improve the attendance at these gigs because live music is really hurting right now. Stan was even running the sound board, a skill he told me only a few musicians in town have.

The first tune I recall was Desfinado by Antonio Carlos Jobim, explained by Auwater as “out of tune.” I understood what he meant when the melody came in. Not that Stan Kessler’s flugal horn was even in the ball park of being out of tune, but there was something about the melody that felt intentionally awkward. That tension was relieved by the smooth improvisation of Stan Kessler, who seems to have eased me in and shook me with some serious licks a few choruses later. I really think that Kessler’s rhythmic complexity in improvisation is what makes him one of the most highly demanded trumpet players in the Midwest.

Partido Alto by Jose Roberto Bertami focused on the steady grooves of the bass and drums. Their guitar player Danny Embry provided offbeat comping along with the steady pulse of Whitfield and Auwater. There were some heavy Latin beats with a twist of funk involved in this arrangement, and for seasoned pros, it does not get much better for me. Doug Auwater is quite possibly the best drummer in the city. With his light touch and polyrhythmic capabilities, I have now heard a percussionist who consciously analyzes every detail. Greg Whitfield's steady grooving basslines made the band sound like absolute clockwork.

The robust intoxication of beer and the special “Brazilian Spider Monkey” shot of the evening really let the music go, as my mind and body felt the desire to dance more and more. I didn’t hear one mistake from the band all night. Based on their performance, I am going to buy a copy of “While You Were Out,” the latest recording from the Sons of Brasil on Stan Kessler’s website.

http://www.stantonkessler.com/recordings/

Published Monday, 1st February 2010 - Written by Alex Tate