Bad Godesberg’s Unter der Zeder started its 7th Season on Monday and a marvellous start it was too. Perfect weather saw top german drummer Willy Ketzer (to be heard almost everyday on tv via the ‘Tatort’ theme) bring some very special musical friends together under the famous cedar tree near Kleines Theatre. Keyboarder extraordinaire Marcus Schinkel will be no stranger to local music fans of course and the percussion skills of Papa Samory Seck are also well known. Add the calming bass of Jens Foltynowicz and you have a dynamic backing for sure. The solo skills of trumpeter Terrance Ngassar and strong vocals from American singer Deborah Woodson were the icing on the cake.
Kicking off with Herbie Hancock’s upbeat ‘Cantaloupe Island’ the band seemed to instantly gel – but in a spontaneous way if that makes sense? Solos seemed to be thrown out at random and latched onto with glee and imaginative abandon throughout the evening by every band member, but my favourite moments go to those involving Terrance Ngassa and particularly his heartfelt renditions of Satchmo both vocally and musically. ‘Sunny Side of the Street’ was an early example. Just as wonderful was his take on Horace Silver’s ‘The Preacher’. Not only great to hear, but Ngassa was also great to watch – clearly enjoying the music and the sunshine. For me certainly the nicest surprise musical treat of the evening. Dottendorfer Jazznacht – give this man a call!
Deborah Wilson joined the band during the first set and immediately took over the band’s vocal point with consumate ease. As soon as she began her powerful rendition of John Fogerty’s ‘Proud Mary’ she had me checking Wikipedia for evidence of her covering Tina Turner more often, and I discovered her show from 2012 ‘Sister Soul Divas’ which I would love to have seen as it captured not only the magic of Turner but also other great vocalists such as Gloria Gaynor and Etta James. Not surprisingly on that score, then we had ‘I’d rather go blind’ in the set. It’s the song that every female Rock/Blues/Jazz/Soul singer covers of course, and one day maybe I’ll make a chart of my favourite renditions. If I do then Deborah Wilson will be high on that list. A fantastic voice. Great stage presence. Clearly a Lady who knows that playing live is all about putting on a show and entertaining.
Other stand-out moments for me were the gusto that Marcus Schinkel brings to his playing, you can never be sure what style he will turn to but you do know he will do it with seeming ease. Great bar-room piano on ‘Route 66’ for instance and he got to unleash some of his inner Jon Lord with heavy vibes on ‘Proud Mary’. I loved too the percussion duels between the ever-smiling Pape Samory Seck’s congas and Willy Ketzer’s full drumkit.
A great start to the season Unter der Zeder then with plenty more to come Mondays from 7 pm:
