Monday, February 9, 2015

Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7 at Take Five

They need more chairs.

On January 31st, Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7 took a week off from their weekly Friday at Green Lady Lounge to slum in the suburbs. Taking over Take Five for a night, they jammed the joint. I got there shortly before 8 p.m., and already every regular seat and temporary folding chair were filled. Except one. I got it.

About a half hour into the first set, I counted at least 25 fans standing and swaying, chairs long since filled. So what do you do when listening to the Boogaloo 7 and there’s no place to sit? You dance, of course. And that wood floor right in front of the Take Five stage is the perfect place.

With Chris Hazelton on Hammond B3 organ, Nick Rowland on sax, Nick Howell on trumpet, Brett Jackson on baritone sax, Tim Braun on guitar, Pat Conway on congas (and some weird-looking percussion thing), Danny Rojas on drums, and vocals by the wonderful Julia Haile, this room was swinging in a way rarely seen at 135th and Metcalf. I mean, come on, I thought these were the sleepy suburbs.

Not this night, they weren’t. But one suggestion, before the Boogaloo 7 invade Overland Park again: Invest in a few more folding chairs.

Below are photos of how the night looked. As always, clicking on a photo should open a larger version of it.

Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7. Left to right: Chris Hazelton on Hammond B3 organ, Pat Conway on congas, Danny Rojas on drums, Tim Braun on guitar, Brett Jackson on baritone sax, Nick Howell on trumpet, Nick Rowland on tenor sax.

Bandleader Chris Hazelton

Pat Conway on congas (and that weird round percussion thing). Behind him, Danny Rojas.

Brett Jackson, Nick Howell and Nick Rowland

Brett Jackson on baritone sax

Nick Rowland on tenor sax

Nick Howell on trumpet

Tim Braun on guitar

Danny Rojas on drums

Vocalist Julia Haile

Julia Haile with the Boogaloo 7

Dancers take the floor

Hazelton swings

More dancers fill the floor (might as well...all of the seats were used).


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