We went to hear the Charles Mingus Big Band at the Jazz Standard. The Jazz Standard is one of my ideal places to hear live music; intimate, with an excellent quality sound system, a "quiet policy" that requests that the audience refrain from talking during the music, and delicious food. The Mingus band was in top form that night; the soloists inspired; and the whole thing with a kind of rollicking, group improvisatory feel which epitomizes the Mingus big band sound. And the Mingus repertoire is always interesting.
We also went to the Cornelia Street Cafe to hear the Romanian born cabaret singer Sanda Weigl do a show of the music of Piaf and Dietrich. Weigl's voice is the real thing, and a pleasure to hear, with spirited accompaniment by accordion or piano. My only complaint was that I wished her choices of music had been more adventurous; apparently she does wonderful Romanian repertoire as well. Maybe the next time...
