Bebop for Plain Folks

The best jazz tends to be accidental. Past midnight in a pizza shop in the Grove (back when a pizza shop was about the only thing open past midnight in the Grove) or some dinky, danky bar; anywhere that sincere musicians (with some chops, please) and normal people might converge...

By Greg Baker

June 14, 2007

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The best jazz tends to be accidental. Past midnight in a pizza shop in the Grove (back when a pizza shop was about the only thing open past midnight in the Grove) or some dinky, danky bar; anywhere that sincere musicians (with some chops, please) and normal people might converge happenstance and leave – eventually -- happy. Kenny G in an arena is better left to ... well, it’s just better left. That’s probably because jazz, while often prompted and promoted by elitist assholes who think you have to go to Berklee to simply enjoy listening to music, can actually be plenty accessible.

You just have to access it first, and KCC Productions has teamed with the city of North Miami Beach to offer an excellent opportunity for that by offering a fantastic free afternoon jazz concert. The impressive lineup includes Sammy Figueroa and His Latin Jazz Explosion (with the Gil Santos salsa dancers at the finale), Allan Harris, and Kiki Sanchez; veteran jazzman Mel Dancy plays host. It begins at 3:00 p.m. at North Shore Park, as near to Collins Avenue and 85th Street as you can get.
Sun., June 17, 3 p.m.

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