From the Break Room: Incredible New Fusion Music from the Fishtank Ensemble

It was a great privilege to catch a show in San Francisco recently featuring two great acts - George Cole Quintet, followed by the Fishtank Ensemble. Ostensibly honoring the 100th birthday of the late great Django Reinhardt, the Hot Gypsy Jazz Wizard.

George Cole is a gifted songwriter whose material sounds like it is a seamless extension of the Hot Jazz period. Catchy swingin' numbers with fun and wry lyrics. George is an inspiring hot jazz guitarist as well.

The members of The George Cole Quintet are: bandleader Cole on guitar and vocals, Julian Smedley on violin, Molly Mahoney on co-lead vocal, Jimmy Grant on rhythm guitar and Kenan O'Brien on standup bass. Molly exudes a wholesome persona very reminiscent of 30s/40s (nice matching of lipstick and shoes BTW!) and refreshingly fits in and supports the band instead of going over the Diva Waterfall. Julian's violin virtuosity is very reminiscent of Stephane Grapelli, you can just close your eyes and smile while he solos. Highly recommended.

NOW, for the SURPRISE. What do you get when you mash up Serbian Dance and Yodel music, Romanian and Roma Folk Music, Gypsy Jazz and Rockabilly? The FISHTANK ENSEMBLE! This high-voltage group is a LA/SF blend that has a high gear unlike anything I've ever heard before (in a good way!).
The band is: Fabrice Martinez (Violin and Violintromba)- you are not going to hear a hotter violin anywhere in this part of the universe, I promise. Worth the price of admission all by himself ; Ursula Knudson (Saw, Voice, and Violin) who can yodel in the highest register one minute and then completely GET Billie Holiday the next, and then do a quick change and scat sing ... WITH A SAW! ; Douglas Smolens (Guitar) who combines hot jazz and flamenco with a lot of sophistication ; and the FORCE of NATURE, Djordje Stijepovic (Bass) who all but flies his standup bass to the moon (spins, throws'n'catches, rockabilly postures and poses) as he both lays down incredible bass lines and plays drums with his slapping at the same time. If you can see this band, do it! It's going to take patience and time to build a sizable following, but their fans are totally rabid with great justification. The Fishtank Ensemble is something really exciting in today's largely featureless musical landscape. HOT HOT HOT!!!

BTW, the venue, the Noe Valley Ministry Music Series, is very cool. Where else can you get great acoustics, an intimate setting, and drink beer in a Church? Exactly. Well worth attending if you get a chance, an excellent lineup of acts in a Series that's been going almost 30 years.