Jazz Gig Features ‘Replacement’ Artists
Jazz fans, I have some good news and some bad news.
The bad news is that the Spokane Jazz Orchestra had scheduled piano and vocal duo Gene Harris and his daughter Nikki as guest artists for this Saturday’s Met concert, but a kidney transplant operation is preventing them from appearing. (I believe that Nikki is donating a kidney to Gene — wish them both well.)
The good news is that their replacements are none other than Dee Daniels and Joe Kloess. We are in good hands.
Daniels, from Vancouver, British Columbia, was a featured artist at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival last month in Moscow, Idaho, where the sets are short but the level of artistry is high. I am looking forward to more tunes from her in an atmosphere somewhat more intimate than the Kibbie Dome.
Daniels’ distinctive voice and incredible technique have led her all over the world. She has done a great deal of performing in Europe, Canada, the United States and Japan, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in jazz wherever she goes.
Among some other tunes, Daniels will sing a couple of originals: “Tonight I Won’t Be Singing No Blues” and “Let’s Talk Business,” the title track of one of her eight recordings. The SJO will also back her up on “A Night in Tunisia” and “Our Love Is Here to Stay.”
Over the phone, Daniels said she would be doing some more charts with Kloess and would play the piano some herself, but wouldn’t tell me what — she wanted it to be a surprise. I can wait.
Daniels’ last appearance with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra was over seven years ago. “I am looking forward to returning to Spokane,” she said this week. “Lots of people from Spokane have introduced themselves to me at the Lionel Hampton Festival, and I will enjoy the chance to sing some more for them.”
Even though Joe Kloess lives “close” — in Colbert — he has been the pianist, conductor and arranger for Dionne Warwick since 1979. That means work ranging from Las Vegas to HBO to television in London, Korea, Australia and Holland to recordings and touring.
Kloess also has conducted on “The Tonight Show,” “The Merv Griffin Show,” “The Dick Cavett Show,” and he has done studio recording sessions in Los Angeles for television programs like “The Love Boat,” “Quincy” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”
On Saturday night, Kloess will perform some standards, such as “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Girl Talk” and “Don’t Get Around Much Any More.” He will also collaborate with Daniels on her combo numbers.
The Spokane Jazz Orchestra will round out the evening with some big band fare such as “Mean to Me,” Don Menza’s “Groovin’ Hard” and “My Funny Valentine.”
Spokane Jazz Orchestra Dee Daniels and Joe Kloess will perform with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra at The Met on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17.50 for reserved seating, $15.50 with the military, senior or student discount, or $14.50 for Spokane Jazz Society members, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT. General admission for students at the door is $9.