Jim Fryer and the 'Usual Suspects'
at the Cajun Queen, Friday the 13th, 2009
by Jean Hadley
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Friday night
November 13th was dark, cold and rainy. However, it was HOT
inside, where my sister Paula
and I managed to celebrate our birthdays,
at the Cajun Queen Restaurant, where Jim
Fryer's trio plays once a month.
Cajun Queen
680 Amboy Ave.
Woodbridge, NJ
732-634-6060
His "Usual Suspects"......
Jim - Trombone/Trumpet/Euphonium
Ken Salvo - Banjo/Guitar
Mike Karn/Bass subbing for Kelly Friesen
When we arrived, Jim was on trumpet and vocals doing a wonderful
rendition of "I Can't Get Started." Followed by "Way Down Yonder In New
Orleans", this time it was Ken on banjo
and vocals and Jim switching from trombone to trumpet.
A song not familiar to me, "Suburban Street Parade" with a Latin
beat, included Jim's fabulous artistry on his euphonium and trombone and
bringing it together with bass and banjo. Kelly Friesen (bass) had
the evening off and was replaced by Mike Karn.
After two hours of entertaining music, the trio took a break
finishing with the ever popular "St. James Infirmary."
When the trio returned, they gave us a fine version of a Berlin song
"When I Leave The World Behind" Jim on trombone and vocals.
Very smooth!
Someone in the audience requested "Louisiana Fairy Tale" a favorite
of the late Dave Huxtable. Jim on euphonium and vocals while Ken,
on banjo, put his heart into it. And, Mike Karn was so cool on his
bass.
It might be of interest to those who are familiar with Danny Coots
(drummer) that he is the great-nephew of J. Fred Coots who along
with Haven Gillespie and Michael Parish authored "Louisiana Fairy
Tale." Of the many songs J. Fred Coots wrote, is one very popular
song which you will hear a good deal of shortly, "Santa Clause Is
Coming To Town."
Jim and his "Usual Suspects" played many familiar numbers, all to
the delight of the audience.
As the evening came to a close, the trio played the ever delightful
"Avalon" made popular by Al Jolson. Very perky!
Jim worked his trombone as did Mike on bass and Ken on both banjo and
guitar. Although the trio played "Avalon" without a piano and
clarinet, they played their hearts out and never missed a beat.
Jim closed the evening with a sing-a-long,
another Berlin tune "Always." This song is always a crowd pleaser
and gets the audience exercising their vocal cords.
Even the New Jersey Jazz Society President Andrea Tyson and her
husband Eliot (who stayed for the entire evening as well) tested
their singing ability.
My
sister and I were pleased with the restaurant ambience which was very
reminiscent of early 20th century Atlanta and New Orleans. The menu
offered a wide selection of wine, beer, cocktails and food to satisfy
anyone's pallet.
Good luck to both the Cajun Queen and Jim for continued success. |
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| Updated November
20, 2009
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