Mystery band opens for George Benson

Hopefully some of you caught the George Benson performance last night (Saturday, 8-11-12) at The Fraze Pavilion. And if you DID, then you may have wondered who the band was that opened the evening. I have it from a musician who was on that stage in that band that it was a last minute rush around, as the original opening act was stuck in an airport somewhere, and local jazz saxophonist Dan Nicora (of Dayton Jazz Orchestra fame) got the harried call. He was out of town as well, more phone calls ensued and the man to the rescue was Dayton's own Josh Adkin who pulled together the all star cast of Eddie Brookshire [of Eddie Brookshire Big Band and Eddie Brookshire Quintet fame], Melvin Broach [fantastic drummer, currently of Eddie Brookshire Quintet fame as well], Mike Wade [one of the best trumpet players in Cincinnati and who just recently played with New York sensation and former Cincy resident Eddie Bayard, plus he blows on one of my favorite Jazz recordings, The Jazz Circle] and even Khalid Moss came down from the mountain top. I am sorry I missed that performance, BUT, Josh Adkin hustled down to Jazz Central out on East Third to join saxophone player extraordinaire Gene Walker and the two of them had a great time. The audience enjoyed them as well. It was a highlight of the evening. Rumor had that George Benson himself might stop down to reconnect with long time friend Gene Walker but that was not in the cards. But thanks to Josh for help make the evening even more special than it had been up to that time.