Among the most formative experiences I had in developing a love and appreciation for jazz and saloon songs was hearing Dave McKenna at The Columns in West Dennis on Cape Cod. I was 18 when I began dropping in at this old sea captain’s manse on Route 28 where on Sunday afternoons McKenna (and occasional guests like Bobby Hackett, Dick Johnson, and Lou Colombo) would swing so hard you’d think rail lines were running below the tidal flats. (Click here to read one of several blogs I’ve posted on the Woonsocket, Rhode Island native who died in 2008.)
Today is Dave’s 86th birthday anniversary, and I’m delighted to see the www.DaveMcKennaPiano.com has just added an early ’70s performance from The Columns that includes twenty songs and runs for two glorious hours. One quick listen will reveal why Dave is a keyboard giant of mythic proportions, and why I was totally mystified by the nearly complete absence of available recordings on him at the time. Later on, Chiaroscuro, Concord, and Arbors presented Dave fairly adequately on record, but this is the kind of date that was for patrons only. I’m happy to have been among them, and grateful that the McKenna family is letting us all in on the experience 45 years later.
Here’s what you’ll hear by clicking here for Dave McKenna at the Columns.
The Sheik Of Araby I’ve Got Rhythm Somebody Stole My Gal Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue Sweet Georgia Brown It’s Been So Long Thanks A Million I Double Dare You Tea For Two That’s A-Plenty Have You Met Miss Jones? I’ve Got You Under My Skin Love For Sale Boogie Woogie St.Louis Blues On A Wonderful Day Like Today Cottontail Billy Boy A Gal In Calico The Lady Is A Tramp Perdido