03/14/2025
Two of Madison's best kept secrets together. The unclassifiable band Mr. Chair playing in the beautiful Mansion Hill Inn. They were so hot last night they played 20 minutes beyond their break and finished saying "We've got time for one more song, but we'll play two."
Mr. Chair is Ben Ferris (bass), Jason Kutz (keyboards) and Mike Koszewksi (drums). Just before the break they played an achingly gorgeous "Poinciana." Originally a Cuban folk song called "La Cancion del Arbol," it first received notice the US in 1943 when Glenn Miller played it with the US Army Air Force Band. It became a Latin jazz standard after 1952 when it appeared in the movie "Dreamboat." It became a a jazz standard after 1958 when Ahmad Jamal played a jaw dropping version in his Chicago live performance released as "At the Pershing."
After they locked in the groove with "Poinciana," Mr. Chair continued to shower the tiny packed room with sparks the rest of the night. When they find the pocket, they stretch it every which way without tearing the fabric. It was a night to remember in one of Madison's most special venues.
You can catch Mr. Chair playing Hank Mobley's fabulous album "Soul Station" in its entirety during the dinner hours on Sunday, Mar. 16 at Lola's Hi/Lo Lounge. They'll also be playing their amazing version of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" on Saturday, April 26 at the another of Madison's best kept secrets, the beautiful North Street Cabaret.
