You know it’s going to be a good jam session with LA guitar icon John Pisano when he’s with fellow picker Barry Zweig, and they don’t suggest songs to each other but only keys. Such was the evening at Viva Cantina Tuesday night as the two masters teamed up with Mike Gurrola/b and Dean Koba/dr for an 80 minute set of wondrous and tasty swing.
The two guitars chimed majestically on a lively “You Stepped Out of A Dream” and “Falling In Love With Love” as the notes sounded like syncopated droplets of rain, with Koba’s deft brush work and guiding ride cymbal keeping the stallions at the right pace. Pisano was featured on a gallant “Embraceable You” as he leaned over his guitar like the master Geppetto finishing up a carved Pinocchio, while afterwords Zweig zinged to the strings of his heart on a sizzling and crisp “Lady Be Good” that had Koba snapping the groove like Romaine lettuce.
A bossa nova’d read of “Body and Soul” brought out new colors in the piece as Gurrola bounced with aplomb to Kobe’s hand drum work. But as with all improve sessions, nothing beats the blues, and the two leaders had their strings bend and snap like Reese Witherspoon while Gurrola strutted down to the corner of 12th Street and Vine on an agonizingly joyful take of “Splanky” before closing with a driving “You Stepped Out of A Dream” that had sparks careening around the cozy club.
If you could make music like this into a stocking stuffer, I’d be happy on Christmas day! Upcoming shows at Cody’s include Laurence Juber 12/15 and the legendary Bob Bain 12/29