
Marty Erlich
July 12
Kitano Jazz Club
David Lopato Quartet: Lopata, piano; Marty Ehrlich, soprano sax, B flat clarinet, flute; Ratzo Harris, bass (6-string); Richie Barshay, drums. I went to hear Marty and was pleased to hear the other good musicians as well. It was the first time I’ve heard Ratso Harris on his impressive Big 6-string bass. The club is quite upscale and the food was delicious. Gino, the host and curator of Kitano’s, welcomed us all. The music was more mainstream than I am wont to attend but, hey, good music is good music. David Lopato introduced each piece, all composed by him except one by Wayne Shorter, “Prince of Darkness.” First up was a solo piano piece “The Big Bad Wolf Ain’t So Bad After All” written for his mother. I guessed from the music that she was a effervescent person. Second, a trio for bass, piano and drums and Marty joined them for the third and onward playing his clarinet with his usual gorgeousness and he swings. I love his tone on all the instruments he plays and his solos were fantastic. A lovely piece, “The Gift that Keeps on Giving” was dedicated to Fred Hersch by David. Hersch was sitting next to me and was touched by the graciousness of David’s introduction saying how much Fred had meant to him over their thirty years of friendship. After an evening of good food and music I decided to treat myself to a cab ride home, rather than the subway. Upscale all night long.
- Marty Erlich
- David Lopato
- Richie Barshay
- Ratzo Harris
- Gino, our host
- Scott Morgan and Fred Hersch