The recent Sixth Annual Starlight Jazz Serenade Benefit for the Hands for Hope organization, held at the plush and luxurious Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre at the Academy of Arts & Sciences in NoHo on Lankershim Blvd. (http://www.emmys.com/events/lhgtheatre.php), brought the smooth jazz heat back to the NoHo musical grill.       

The show began with the entrance of the evening’s host, the gorgeous and talented Rita Shelby, who has become part of the annual Starlight Jazz tradition.  As she walked onto the stage in a brilliant magenta dress and corset, she warmed up the audience with a performance of “Old Man’s Girl” (co-written by Shelby and Willie Daniels).  Her charming grace and style never fail to deliver a stunning display of classic showmanship.  Based on the applause for this one number, it was evident that the audience wanted more of Rita Shelby.   

94.7, The Wave, radio personality Pat Prescott then joined Rita as co-host for the evening.   

ForeCast (www.the-forecast.com), featuring J.S.Floyd, treated the audience to a selection from their brand new release.  Fronted by the duo of the Floyd brothers, Jonathan and Stafford, ForeCast is a unique blend of guitar/keyboard-based smooth jazz.  Both have built careers by working independently in many areas of the music business.  Bringing their seasoned abilities together under one roof has ignited a music explosion that has to be experienced.  Jonathan is an incredible guitar player that plays in a relaxed melodic style in the vein of Lee Ritenour.  Stafford’s keyboard playing is incredible too, especially in regards to his full chord soloing.  But what is so monstrous about this magnificent duo is their ability to play together in a way that is complementary and never crowded.         

Next on the bill was R&B vocalist, supreme, Christine Day.  Christine performed at last year’s Starlight Jazz Serenade Benefit and created such a buzz she was asked back for an encore.   Her voice is as sultry and rich as her performance style is hot and full of energy.  She has been compared with many of the greats because of the way she displays full command of the elements on stage and delivers it down into the audience, hot and fresh and still smokin.  Nice.   Check out www.christineday.org for more about this exciting Southern California vocalist.  

Rendezvous Entertainment recording artist, Saxophonist Michael Lington (www.michaellington.com) then took the stage.  It was no surprise that Lington delivered his signature “scratch-the-sky” melodic style to the audience in heaps and mounds.  However, his showmanship, which is impossible to deliver in a recording, really helped the evening to shimmer.  For one of the numbers, he came down from the stage, dedicated a ballad to an unescorted lady in the audience, planted himself right in front of her and blew.  The way he gallantly kissed her hand and played her the soaring and passionate lines stole the hearts of all of the ladies in the house.   Michael Lington plays the ballad with enormous control and depth of emotional range.  Beautiful.   

Pianist Kevin Toney (www.kevintoney.com) was up next and he is no stranger to the Starlight Jazz Serenade Benefit Concerts.  This was his third appearance and has become a favorite of this annual event.  His background and legacy are well known to music lovers but what really helps Kevin stand apart is his true versatility.  His lines and solos over his smooth jazz compositions are exceptional, solid and are phrased in such a way that they stay with the listener, long after hearing them.  But then, in the same breath, he can turn around on a dime and blast out a cadenza of a string of jaggedly dissonant chords that tell a musical story in the grand tradition of Stravinsky or Bartok.  Kevin Toney brought an interesting, expansive, musical dimension to the evening that helped remind the audience of the vastness of the range of expression possible on a piano.  Bravo.   

Guest saxophonist accompanying Kevin Toney for his set was none other than star saxophonist Andre Delano.  If you don’t know the name, you have probably heard him play with many artists and on television.   Andre Delano plays with some of the most incredible expression, nailed-to-the-wall timing, and sinister phrasing ever blown from a saxophone.  And, as far as saxophone playing goes, he stole the show.  Check him out www.andredelano.com.  

Euge Groove (www.eugegroove.com) then closed out the show with his set in his rowdy, flashy style.  He was a real crowd pleaser as he went through renditions of pieces reminiscent of his days with Tower of Power.  Euge is a powerhouse performer and took no prisoners as he roasted through his set.  

The house band, which would back up all of the artists for the show, was fronted by Bassist, Producer and Musical Director, Dwayne “Smitty” Smith (www.smittysmithbass.com), who is in his sixth year in this position) and was comprised of Land Richards on drums, Kim Hansen on keyboards, Mark Stevens also on keyboards, and Freddy Fox on guitar.  

Hands for Hope, founded in 2000, is a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children and single parents receive the kind of loving support that it takes to raise and nurture the hopes, dreams, and abilities of a child.  For more information, log on to www.hands4hope.org, or call 818-763-4673. 

©2006 Scott Detweiler.  All Rights Reserved. 

Scott Detweiler is an accomplished musician in his own rite.  For more details, log on to www.detweilermusic.com, or write to scottdetweiler@hotmail.com.