Leaning towards mainstream jazz, Lee and Kurt started this evening with Stan Getz's Birdland Jump, with Lee on tenor sax, Kurt on Korg keyboard. They segued to a Latin beat with Masquerade; and especially for me - Limehouse Blues.  Munching on shrimp and avocado tapas, it was already turning out to be a fun evening.  Next was Walking in Savannah (written in 1981 by Ted Casher) played in smooth, low register clarinet. 

Kurt plays his heart out on the 61 keys of that keyboard. He dedicated a tune he wrote, Remembering Johnny Cunningham,  to the New England musician who died at age 46.  It's based on Where is Love? from the play Oliver.  Lee's instrument was a Yamaha Raeburn custom soprano sax -  black lacquer with golden trim and keys.  It's new - the best soprano sax he's ever played, and he's been playing a long time*.  Unlike vintage saxes, they keep in tune. 

The Duo played for 1 ^1/2 hours without a break.  Crazy Rhythm was HOT, with Kurt's rhythmic energy and bouncing left hand on the keyboard.  Lee included some classic New Orleans with  Burgundy St. Blues. He cleverly slipped in snippets of Do You Know What They Say About Dixie in Struttin' With Some Barbeque - done in a bossa nova beat.

The crowd was mixed, young, old and in between, (they cater to all ages). In consideration of the diners, they shifted to Brubeck's Take 5, followed by a swinging It Might As Well Be Spring,  Artie Shaw's Summit Ridge Drive and the Beatles' Norwegian Wood.  The crowd was beginning to relax, folks winding down after a hard days work.

*The first time we ever heard Lee Childs was in 1971-72 at Billy Mitchell's Post Time in Nantasket, with John Fuller, Sammy Waldron, Jimmy Mazzy.   That was a fun band and unique venue!  Lee is still at it, dispensing golden nuggets for one and all. His Bourbon Street Paraders just finished their 29th season of Sunday Jazz cruises on the Cape Cod Canal.  They'll be back next year for their 30th anniversary.  He and Kurt will return Sundays to the swank Top of the Hub in Boston starting September 13th, 1-5pm.

Meantime, if you're visiting the Cape Cod environs, stop by Embargo 453 Main St. Hyannis, MA on Thursday or Saturday 6-9pm for some fine martinis, tapas and jazz. Half price tapas & 99 cent oysters everyday 4:30 - 6PM!   (508) 771-9700