On The Mark: Jazz, al fresco, is a delight

It was a balmy evening, perfect for sitting outside and listening to high-energy jazz. We'd brought our lawn chairs and positioned them near the front of the tent, to the left of the stage. We were about to be treated to marvelous live music, the first in months at Carlton's Oldenburg House. In their response to Covid-19 concerns, owners Emily Fuerste and Glenn Swanson converted their periodic jazz and dining nights to "Cookin' at the O Outdoors."

We purchased delicious sandwiches at Paul's food cart and fizzy lemonades from the Magnolia Café bar. Before the performers reached the stage, we engaged in a hopeful conversation about our region's upcoming elections with "Mothy" and Diane Soden Groves.

The show featured the vocals of Debbie Duncan - a flamboyant African American jazz artist from the Twin Cities - with a band assembled by Swanson. Keyboardist Andrew Walesch, whose hands punctuate the keys at flying speed, many tones at a time, surprised us by singing while playing in the second set. Glenn exuded energy and rhythm on the drum set. The giant Matt Mobley plucked his bass viol. Jason Delaire played his saxophone.

Duncan engagingly ad libs a lot before each number.

"This next one, by Erroll Garner, was so popular that he never had to write anything again," she said. I knew instantly that she'd be singing "Misty." She sang a compassionate version of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady," first performed in 1933. To conclude, she delivered a charming version of Donald Kahn and Stanley Styne's "A Beautiful Friendship." She also shared several songs I'd never heard.

Duncan sings with flair and panache. She works wondrously with the musicians, giving them cues and signaling good moments for each to solo. And she shares funny glimpses into her life and art between songs.

And her outfits! The singer favors light drapey fabrics in beautiful shades like a filmy sky blue wrap over a white bodice. Gold bangles on her right arm and a white turban wrapped around her head for the second act.

I've been to probably five or six jazz events at the Oldenburg over the past couple of years and have been missing them. So it was a treat to join the audience for this Covid-mindful evening. Emily and Glenn had rented a huge white tent for a wedding they hosted the following day. All was perfect for a distance-conscious audience of jazz enthusiasts.

The pandemic has certainly put the kibosh on a lot of musical performances, months and months of canceled shows. We miss our community dances, and many of my neighbors are missing singing and practicing weekly for church choirs.

Many thanks to Emily and Glenn for their creativity in bringing Debbie Duncan and a first rate group of musicians together in a safe way. We're hoping they'll bring more jazz to our community soon.

Ann Markusen is a Pine Knot board member who lives in Red Clover Township north of Cromwell.