I’m gearing up for our second appearance at NASO wine bar. If you missed our last show, we invited Maddy Ross to join us. “Us” as in Kathy James (Piano), Stu Fessant (sax), and myself (bass). Maddy couldn’t join us, so Nova Knutson stepped in and covered songs we all already knew. It was a leap into the jazz void, but it worked well.

We’ve always meant to feature Nova for our May performance, but with our previous “dress rehearsal” we are really excited about what we can accomplish. In preparation, I’ve done research on the suggested song list and can share some trivia you’ll find interesting.

Want to hear more?

Nova Knutson
with Kathy James, Stu Fessant, and Mark Niemann-Ross
May 21st
6-8 pm
No cover charge
NASO Wine Bar
1744 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
Minors allowed

Nova provided us with a list of songs she’d like to perform. Here are some interesting tidbits about some of them…

Scat and Vocalese

Twisted is a prime example of “vocalese” where words take the place of an instrument. Unlike scat, vocalese words make sense and tell a story – possibly the start of hip hop. Written by Annie Ross (no relation to Mark), Joni Mitchell recorded it on her 1974 album Court and Spark, featuring Cheech & Chong. 

Lust and Love

No Moon At All: This is the song your mother warned you about.

No moon at all, what a night / Even lightnin' bugs have dimmed their light / Stars have disappeared from sight / And there's no moon at all

Don't make a sound, it's so dark / Even Fido is afraid to bark / What a perfect chance to park / And there's no moon at all

If you need atmosphere for inspiration, dear / One kiss will make it clear / That tonight is right and bright moonlight might interfere

No moon at all up above / This is nothing like they told us of / Just to think we fell in love / And there's no moon at all

No moon at all up above / This is nothin' like they told us of / Just to think we fell in love / And there's no moon at all

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise is a song of bitterness and yearning for a lost love, originally composed as a tango (think of Gomez and Morticia Addams!)

Whisper Not: is about lovers who have reunited after a breakup, rejoicing in their reunion and promising everlasting love. This is one you should know by heart, at least the first two lines:

Sing low, sing clear / Sweet words in my ear

Music Trivia

Água de Beber: If you aren’t familiar with Antonio Carlos Jobim, then you aren’t familar with bossa novas. Bossa Novas are built on Clave rhythms. Like this:

Honeysuckle Rose: This is such a fun piece to perform. Partially dance with a bouncy set of lyrics. Listen for the interaction between vocal, sax, piano, and bass.

Caravan: As of 2024, this is the most covered song in history, with over 500 versions published. Caravan has regained popularity since being featured prominently in the 2014 film Whiplash. (No, we do not have a guest drummer this evening.)

Jitterbug Waltz: To perform this piece, you need to understand how to lilt. It’s a waltz, so it’s in 3/4 time (count one two three. one two three). There’s an amusing song called “Hippie Drum Circle, can you play me a waltz” – amusing because drum circles are always in 4/4. Bioshock gamers already know this one.

There will never be another (waltz): One of my early jazz instructors pointed me towards there will never be another you. It’s a standard, written in 4/4. (one two three four, one two three four). We’re going to do it as a waltz (one two three, one two three). Tricky, but it works.

Thanks…

…to our hosts, NASO. They support live music. Will you support them?

Tips?

Of course you can tip the band…