Jazz Is a 'Crowd Pleaser' on Sundays at the Monmouth County Library

The Monmouth County Library transformed into a low-lit jazz den Sunday afternoon as vocalist Giacomo Gates returned to perform for the library’s monthly Jazz Series.  Gates sang his way through a repertoire of popular old jazz standards, backed by a trio of musicians.

“I’ve worked with this band several times before.  They, like you, don’t know what’s coming next,” Gates joked to the audience.

The concert carried an air of freedom as Gates deftly orchestrated the band through rounds of swinging solos and impressive improvisations.  The crowd swayed in their seats and zealously clapped along to resuscitated hits from the golden age of radio, such as George Gershwin’s “Lady Be Good” and Cole Porter’s “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To.”

The four-piece group managed to fill out big band numbers with no difficulty.

“It looks like a quartet,” said John Livingstone, director of the Jazz Series, “but really sounds like a nine piece band.”

This sentiment is largely attributed to Gates’ aged and experimental vocal style, who filled in a missing trombone solo with an imitation of his own, challenged his percussionist to drum duel, and soulfully scatted and crooned through some of the most celebrated jazz standards.  One could easily see the affect his voice had on the audience and passersby who were struck to a standstill with curiosity.

“Well he’s a crowd pleaser and he puts on a great show,” said Livingstone, who has recurrently invited Gates back to perform.

Livingstone good-naturedly jokes that Gates is a hipster, in the true sense of the term. “When bop started back in the late 30s you had these people who wore berets, had the long trousers that they practically tripped over, a key chain that went down to their knees and back, and had a funny way of walking.  We called them hipsters.”

Both Livingstone and Gates recognize the unique opportunity the library offers performers and admirers alike to enjoy and preserve the rich legacy of jazz music. 

“It’s great that its here and its [the music] available.  It’s been around longer than most jazz clubs,” said Gates, who also teaches vocal jazz in his home state of Connecticut.

Started in 1973, the series is in its 38th year and continues to fill the void of a suitable venue for jazz aficionados to gather.

“Especially in New Jersey there are very few places to play jazz,” said Livingstone, the founder of the program.

“It was an accident really,” said Livingstone, “I got to know a guitar player from Philadelphia who was looking for a place to try out some musical theories and he couldn’t afford a hall.  At the time we were at the eastern branch in Shrewsbury and we were closed on Sundays so I said ill give you the hall but I have no money for musicians.  He said that’s ok don’t worry about it I’ll get the musicians.”

Livingstone, who served as the first Library Director of Monmouth County for 23 years, acknowledges that the series exposes a diverse crowd to both the music as well as the library.

“It brings people into the library that wouldn’t normally come.  Maybe they’ll go in and see what we have here,” Livingstone said.

For the finale Gates played a refreshing and lively version of George Gershwin’s 1935 hit “Summertime,” in an attempt to summon the arrival of spring and was met with a thunderous applause.  The exiting crowd, despite the cold downward turn of the weather, were quietly whistling and humming their renditions of the memorable melody.