I took in a quick set of Guitar George Baker at the USS Chowder Pot III in Branford on Wednesday evening as part of my mission to choose entertainment for the 2nd annual Southington Rotary Mardi Gras Night at Anthony Jack's. Event co-chair, Johnny Gumbo, was unable to attend because he was busy with OTHER THINGS.
The 'Pot' put George somewhat at a distance across a dance floor from the rawbar where I was seated with a cold Bass in hand and the Nebraska/Michigan game in sight, but that's the deal with these gigs and he seemed fine with it. Accompanied by drums and bass, Guitar George's set of jazz/blues featured a Christmas medley of Mel Torme's Christmas Song and a nice Charles Brown-like rendition of Merry Christmas, Baby, a freshened-up version of BB King's The Thrill Is Gone, and some breezy instrumental jazz.
Hailing from New Roads, LA, Baker's impressive resume includes stints as music director/touring with Marvin Gaye for three years and as a member of the house band at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.
His new CD/DVD, Mojo Lady with the George Baker Experience is available on his website. George plays each Wednesday evening at the Chowder Pot and once a month at Cafe Nine in addition to being featured on BET/Jazz TV "Live from the Club at Blue Palm".
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