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FREE SHOW: Judith Owen and Leland Sklar at Gypsy Sally's on May 19

The two people on the left, Leland Sklar and Judith Owen, give this photo 2/3rd's of musical awesomeness. Here we are this past winter at Cafe Amelie in New Orleans with them plotting their upcoming tour, which brings them to Gypsy Sally's in Georgetown on May 19.

ADMISSION IS FREE. 

The show starts at 8:30, with the doors opening at 7pm. My best advice: be there.

The tour is for Judith's new album, Ebb and Flow. She is a remarkable singer, songwriter, pianist, with a voice that lifts you, calms you, taps into every emotion in between - romantic, jazzy, bluesy, and with this new work she channels the spirit of the 70s. Not only that, she is backed on the album and the tour by the musicians who, according to Rolling Stone, "created the sound of the 1970s" -  bassist Sklar, drummer Russ Kunkel and guitarist Waddy Wachtel. You've heard them on the landmark albums of James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Phil Collins. David Crosby called them "the best."

 

Lee Sklar recently appeared on the Grammy Awards with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Blake Shelton and Merle Haggard. With his distinctive white beard, you can't miss Lee (of course, from a distance you can't see the twinkle in his eye or the mischief he likes to make). What he does with a bass guitar is distinctive, too. Additional important note: he and his wife Maureen are "parents" to two adorable bassett hounds who like to pose for photos. 

 

I have no musical talent except as an appreciator and fan. That's my role in this. I hope you'll come enjoy the artistry of my talented friends on May 19. 

Party Pictures (What A Night Out Looks Like)

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO

I go out. Among many other endeavors, it is what I do. Every now and then it's special, as tonight at the Italian Ambassador's residence, where Claudio Bisogniero and his wife, Laura, hosted a dinner where the guests of honor were basically $35 million in violins. Violins made in the 16th and 17th centuries. Violins made by Stradivari. They were played by members of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society. Wow, in sum, a splendid way to wrap up a long week. 

THE INVITED GUESTS, PRE-SHOW

AN ELEGANT GESTURE FROM THE BELGIAN AMBASSADOR

DVORAK ON CENTURIES OLD INSTRUMENTS IN TALENTED HANDS

SUCH JOY. KENNETH SLOWIK BRANDISHES HIS ANCIENT, MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GEMS

DINNER, CHEZ BISOGNIERO

A GUEST GETS TO TRY OUT THE FEEL OF A STRADIVARI

After dinner, my friend Jim Spellman and I went to Cafe Bonaparte for a nightcap. It was so pleasant. After we took our seats at the bar we were soon joined by three people who said they were  Romanian. I told them I'm half Romanian on my mother's side. The bartender, below, said, "I'm Russian." Jim said, "I'm Irish." So, there you have it: Washington in 2013. We played with my iPhone photo apps.

THE RUSSIAN BARTENDER

THE ROMANIANS

WITH MY IRISH FRIEND, JIM SPELLMAN

There will be so much more about this evening on Monday on Washingtonian.com.

David Bryne Talks The Excitement Of Making Music At Ingenuity Awards Dinner

DAVID BYRNE AND ST. VINCENT AT THE KOGOD COURTYARD TUESDAY EVENING

He's long been one of my favorites, making it a real pleasure to be in the company of David Byrne on Tuesday night at Smithsonian magazine's American Ingenuity Awards. He was there to present one of the awards to St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark). By all means take a minute to watch the video of his words about her and the excitement of creating innovative music. It begins with "wow," and ends with "exciting."

 

Glee's Matthew Morrison Sings & Dances in DC on Saturday Night

Matthew Morrison, star of "Glee," was in town tonight as the main event at the Washington Performing Arts Society's spring gala. He put on a show that ended up as a dance party for 600+ guests at the Ritz Carlton West End. More about it on Monday at washingtonian.com, but for now here are some photos of Matthew, starting with the VIP reception, then the show, and at a small private after-party where he sipped the Jameson's he first asked for on stage. btw, he's s sweetheart. Zero attitude, loves DC, and takes the time to talk to everyone and pose for pics.

Meet Roland Celette of The French Embassy (but quickly, he's leaving!)

ROLAND CELETTE

From the first time I met him I was impressed with Roland Celette, the cultural attache for the French Embassy. I think it was during arrangements for the French Film Festival several years ago. We had lunch at La Maison Francaise on Reservoir Road. Then, I started to see him everywhere: dinners at the ambassador's residence, cultural events all over town, and even in Richmond, at the opening of a spectacular Picasso exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 

So, while I was saddened to learn he has given his notice and plans to return to France, I was delighted when he accepted my invitation for lunch and an interview. He's one of those people who everyone in Washington should know about. Please take a moment to read the resulting story: Who Is Roland Celette? 

"This Is Spinal Tap" Interview on YouTube

 This is one of my favorites from The Q&A Cafe archives - the men of "Spinal Tap," Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. I know Harry very well, and Chris and Michael sorta well. Thanks to Harry, we all cross paths from time to time. This interview had been a long-time coming. The guys were game, I just needed them to all be in Washington at the same time, which a "Spinal Tap Unplugged" concert made possible.

Enjoy the conversation. Also, it's a glimpse into the old location, Nathans. For long-timers of The Q&A Cafe, that will be sentimental. 

Chez Jacobsen, A Romantic Night of Cole Porter, Champagne and Baked & Wired

DAN RUSKIN, SINGING AND PLAYING COLE PORTER

It was a romantic Saturday night of music, French champagne and desserts from Baked & Wired at the home of Simon and Ruth Jacobsen. The featuered entertainment was Dan Ruskin, pianist, singer and storyteller, who you can catch lunchtime at the Prime Rib. He put on a stirring performance of Cole Porter and other romantic standards, and an especially arresting deconstructioin of "Begin the Beguine." The guests in the room will never hear that song the same way again.

THE DESSERT BUFFET OF TREATS FROM BAKED & WIRED

I've attended this musicale before, and it's a night of dreamy tunes, of course, but also white floors, white walls, white flowers and white wine. The Jacobsen home, on 28th Street in Georgetown, as one might expect from an architect, is show enough ... even before Ruskin takes to the ivories. At least a couple of times a week Simon and his father, Hugh Jacobsen, have lunch at Prime Rib at a table that is practically hitched at the hip to Ruskin's piano. 

Bob Dylan to Smithsonian: Here's a Piece of My History

A source has told us that the Smithsonian is to receive a rare item of Bob Dylan memorabilia. The full story is at washingtonian.com. 

Amy Winehouse

DC Cable uses an Amy Winehouse hit, "You Know I'm No Good," as the opening credit track for The Q&A Cafe. I was not offended. I was honored. It even gave me a giggle, too, as it is also the opening credit for one of my favorite cable shows, Secret Diary of A Call Girl.

From the first time I heard Winehouse I was a fan. Her death is not a shock, because she was an addict. As the younger sister of an addict I know it is a life-long battle, and so very tough to come out on top. Most don't, joined by my late sister and now Winehouse. She was so young. I kept hoping she'd kick it and give us years of great tunes. 

Amy Winehouse did not leave a huge body of work, unfortunately, but her 2006 "Back to Black" is a resonant legacy. It won five Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. I can't imagine there's anyone who hasn't heard that album. It's well worth owning, but now also a sad epitaph.  

"I cheated myself,
Like I knew I would,
I told you I was trouble,
You know that I'm no good"

Take Five and Watch; A Gaga Revelation

 

Howard Stern is without a doubt the best interviewer in American media, and his interview with Lady Gaga was one of his best. One of her best, too, though I'm not a student of Gaga, and only barely a casual fan. At the end of the interview she sang a song of her own composition, accompanied only by herself on the piano. This is the result. I think it could make a solid fan of anyone who listens. It's a shame the interview isn't included, but then that's why we have to subscribe to Sirius.

Enjoy this remarkable performance and note it occurred in the early morning, when Howard does his show, and still her voice is very wide awake. 

Chris Botti: My Funny Valentine, Sweet Groovy Valentine

 CHRIS BOTTI WITH (SFer) ME                           Photo: WPAS

Chris Botti is often my soundtrack. Well, when I'm not dancing in the streets to Cee Lo or Bruno Mars. When I need time to think, or when I'm taking photos, I put one or another of Botti's groovy tracks in my ears. He's young but he's got some serious soul. When I need a good cry I go right to his "How Love Should Be" with Paula Cole on vocals. Oh. My. God. I'm down on my knees. The only Botti I've played more, by only about twice, is his "My One and Only Love." I have everything he has recorded. And tonight I met him for the first time.

I come from the school of "I don't need to meet famous people whose talent I admire." In fact, I'm usually too shy to meet them. I like to watch them perform. For years in television I met all kinds of famous people. Too often, especially with my idols, they didn't add up. Not their fault. I wanted them to be something I wanted them to be, but they are only who they are. I learned that lesson and respect it. I want to adore their talent, not necessarily their person.

However, tonight, before his Kennedy Center show, I was a guest at a party for Chris Botti and I met him and that was just fine. I mentioned I was actually a real fan, and he got it. I said, "I take your music out into the wilderness," and he got it. So that was enough. His show was splendid. He's got quiet fire. There's a bit of MOR in him, but its so restrained as if to be a mere faint vapor. I'd love to hear him in a small club in New Orleans, and I told him so, and he got it. He said he would be at the Blue Note in NYC on December 15th. Its a date. Then the host moved me away so Botti could meet some actual rich people. Fair enough. I had my itty bitty moment. CHRIS BOTTI WITH NEALE PERL, TOP GUN AT THE WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY

 BRUCE AND JOYCE GATES OF ALTRIA, CHRIS BOTTI, NEALE PERL

The show was excellent, of course. I'm never very good at sitting in a big room with people listening to music. I want to be alone or dancing. But it was a lovely, special performance, and appeared to be sold out. There's no doubt young Mr. Botti wowed Washington.

Now its time to play "My Funny Valentine" a few times. Happy Valentine's Day to you.