"KJazz Tracks brings the house down at Union Station"
spacer
By KJazz Intern Luis Castilla
photo credit: Luis Castilla
A star-studded lineup opened up the dancefloor for KJazz Tracks at Union Station on Saturday, April 11th.
Over fourteen hundred music lovers poured into Union Station’s historic ticket concourse for KJazz Tracks, a free concert organized by Metro Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and KJazz 88.1 FM and hosted by KJazz DJ José Rizo. The lineup featured R&B singer Merges, GRAMMY-nominated singer Emi Secrest and GRAMMY Award-winning Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen. New KJazz DJ Greg Bryant was also introduced to the audience.
Union Station sees thousands of commuters pass through it every day. It’s fitting that it also hosted a night of music from across the country. The night shifted from ethereal beats and soul to funk and New Orleans jazz.
The evening began with a dreamy set by Merges. Accompanied by guitarist Dylan Kidd, the two serenaded an audience draped by the soft light of the setting sun. Merges sang some of her biggest hits including “cool_v2,” “Truman Show” and “Scrabble.” Merges created a serene atmosphere with her lo-fi instrumentation, a good primer for what was to come.
The energy shifted in the complete opposite direction in the best possible way as Memphis singer Emi Secrest and her band took to the stage. The soul singer’s powerful voice quickly filled the room and it was clear the night was about to pick up. Her energetic performance included covers of Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open” and Aretha Franklin’s “Daydreaming.” Her presence captivated the audience in a way few performers could. Soon, she had the packed room dancing with dozens making their way to the base of the stage. Secrest herself joined them for the Electric Slide, a Memphis party staple as she says.
Keeping the energy high, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen closed out the evening with an eclectic set of funk and New Orleans jazz. Cleary, a revered name in the New Orleans jazz scene, put on a clinic as he performed songs spanning his entire career, including “Zulu Coconuts,” “Boneyard” and “Funky Munky Biznis”. He and the band paid tribute to some of the musicians Cleary has worked with like Dr. John and Earl King before finishing their set. Everyone who had returned to their seats after Secrest’s set came back to dance to their last couple of songs.
Drummer of the Absolute Monster Gentlemen Pedro Segundo said he was glad to have played in a historic venue like Union Station. “It’s nice to play in such a classic, iconic venue in Los Angeles and it’s good that we are celebrating the past as far as architecture goes and how we can bring music to such a beautiful space.”
The night ended with everyone in high spirits. Mahdee Gill, a Memphis native who came to see the concert said he had a great time. “I thought it was entertaining because it had different genres of music,” Gill said.
The music faded from the room surely to return just as trains pull in and out of Union Station.
"KJazz Tracks brings the house down at Union Station"" />
