David Esleck Trio

I enjoyed an authentic Richmond weekend. Saturday morning, we went to the Farmer's Market and strolled by some historic sites in Shokoe Bottom. That evening we played miniature golf out in Midlothian.

Sunday night, we went to Dogwood Dell to hear the David Esleck Trio. Dogwood Dell is a lovely venue for concerts on a breezy summer evening. Just outside the theater stands the memorial carillon, built in memory of soldiers who died in the First World War. Clouds float by above the stage, lit by the setting sun in pastel colors.

It was in this calm and casual setting that the jazz trio and their guest, saxophonist Don Faye, gave a gift of joy to the audience. 40 minutes into the concert, I glanced at my watch, and was shocked that more than 15 minutes had elapsed.

In addition to jazz standards, they treated us to jazzy versions of songs by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. David Esleck also played two solo numbers. First was a rendition of "Piano Man" that metamorphosed into a piano improvisation reminiscent of Berg and Stravinsky, then back to Billy Joel. I wondered if that might be too huge of an experimental curve to round with a relaxed Sunday night audience in the park. But it seemed that everyone stayed with him until he made it back to familiar territory. The other solo was the gospel song "He Touched Me" which he dedicated to a pastor from his church whose funeral had taken place earlier that day.

At the end of the two hours, I was refreshed and enlightened by the overriding sense that this performance had consisted not so much of asking the audience to invest of its focus and its self, but of transferring the energy and delight of the performers to the audience. What a great service to the public!