Benoit performance a lusty jazz treat

The second in the Capital Music Series programs Friday night almost got timed out, as an hour and five minutes after curtain time, techies were still scurrying around fixing mikes and an organ keyboard.

But then David Benoit and his trio burst into a rollicking, lusty number, "Watermelon Man." From then on, the music was everything a jazz lover could hope for -- crashing, bashing chords, a tenor saxophone that could do no wrong, drums that knocked out rim shots that would have set Sid Catlett agog, and bass that laid down a rock-solid underlayment that kept everyone moving along.

The crowd at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Carson City Community Center got everything they had paid $30 for -- music that fired emotions, that asked and answered questions and was just plain good fun.

From the "Watermelon " opener to Nora Jones' "Don't Know Why," Benoit and his crew moved smoothly from his classics such as "Snap!" and "Freda," where the tenor both soared and exchanged duets with Benoit, and on to new material such as "Right Here Right Now." The latter tune is the title of his next CD due out Sept. 9.

Slipped in among the jazz standards were such tunes as "Waikiki," an island rhythm-based floater and the "Charlie Brown Theme," by Vince Guaraldi.

A poignant touch was added when Benoit noted that the concert was a benefit for Carson-Tahoe Hospital's Regional Medical Center. "I lost my dad a few months ago and I've been working on a song for him and I'll play it for the first time in public tonight."

And he did, a softly classical piece that was close to the impromptu format but all Benoit's own.

Benoit is largely a center-of-the-keyboard pianist, striking off to the upper registers when wishing to emphasize a point. He's also a chord-pounding, percussive pianist who can raise the decibel level with the flick of a wrist. At times he moves up to the organ keyboard atop the piano for a chord or two, a nice change of pace.

Unfortunately, there was no program and the introductions of the trio were lost in the auditorium. But the tall, full-haired tenor youth played his horn with a remarkable lack of honks. The drummer was always explosive, kicking the songs along with force.

The electric bass player was mostly a background bricklayer, who when he came out with his solos toward the end offered a deft touch with a somewhat unusual buzzing tone. All young, all offering great promise. They all moved on to Detroit for a Saturday night gig.

The Benoit and His Trio section of the program was a real ear-opener and worth every penny of admission. Sadly, a guitar player opened the show with a collection of dreary folkie-type songs that added nothing to the night and only delayed Benoit.

Next up is The Mountain Top Tour with Dr. Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

This time the Capital Music Series returns to the Pavilion at Mills Park, where acoustical magic has made the music there sound robust.

I F YOU GO

What: Capital City Music Series features The Mountain Top Tour, bluegrass with Dr. Ralph with Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, plus special guests The Clark Family Experience

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park

Tickets: $18-$30. Call 687-7410.