Karen Ponzio Photos
Harvest after dark.
The sound of jazz filtering up to Chapel Street from Harvest Wine Bar is not new to a Thursday night in New Haven, but on this particular Thursday, Oct. 1, it felt like the first time and happened to be the first of many things for a few in a long while.
Free Jazz Thursdays, a weekly event at Harvest presented in conjunction with Blue Plate Radio Entertainment, returned after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19-related shutdown.
“This is our second one since lockdown,” said Ed Tankus of Blue Plate, noting that the three weeks following that were affected by a rain out and Restaurant Week. A full schedule is set for the next four Thursdays.
“We’re going very, very slow, taking it step by step,” said Tankus. There are “some challenges” due to the guidelines, so acts booked will include only soloists and duos for now. “We’re taking baby steps,” he added. “Everyone is trying to take baby steps.”
They may be baby steps, but they were being taken by a couple musical giants. On this night Willie Moore and Patrick Williams played on the steps facing the outdoor tables on the patio, spaced well apart and surrounded by flame heaters and trees covered in small sparkling lights.
“It’s so good to be out here,” said Moore before the first set began. “It’s been a very difficult time for everyone, especially musicians. We’re gonna try to play music everyone can enjoy.”
Harvest before dark.
“Everyone” included tables of two, four, and even six people on the open patio, and a few tables inside the restaurant as well next to the open doors. This reporter took a table near the wall, and was able to invite an arriving friend to join her. Brad Jacobs, local music super fan and supporter, sat with me and was thrilled to be back.
“The last show I attended” before the venues closed, Jacobs said, “was at Cafe Nine with Xavier Serrano and Alex Burnet.” He had been to a few shows outside of the city with his wife Karen recently, and said they were both enjoying slowly getting back to activities in New Haven — such as last week’s first Stack Sessions.
“This looked really nice,” he said, adding that he had been to Harvest many times before, including to see Moore with the late George Baker when the duo used to play every first Thursday of the month in the bar area.
Perfection in a glass and plate.
This reporter could not wait to order her first drink, and although I had thought about what I would order many times, this particular fall night required my favorite mixed drink: the Manhattan, straight up and with a luxurious Luxardo cherry. Its warm color captured the lights and its smooth taste felt as soothing as the music itself. Jacobs had his first Grand Marnier, his personal favorite, out on this evening as well.
The background to all of this drinking and dining (which we will get to as well) was the music, as Williams’ guitar and Moore’s bass melded to make melodious sounds fill the air, with covers of everything from George Benson to Michael Jackson, the two joyfully trading off vocals and solos throughout the night’s three sets.
There was a double dose of Bill Withers, who Williams noted had passed earlier this year. Withers, Williams said, was also “an activist” and “spiritually driven.”
“He was a really cool guy. We’re gonna miss him,” added Williams, before the two launched into “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Later in the night they added Withers’ “Lovely Day” to the mix.
Brad Jacobs toasts the night’s proceedings.
Amid all these sweet tunes we ordered our food. Jacobs went for the shrimp and grits appetizer and then a plate of gnocchi. I had a salad-accentuated plate of crab cakes and then a generous plate of beef sliders and fries. Jacobs and I raised a glass to it all.
Moore and Williams returned from a short break to offer up “a little Motown” by way of The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination,” and then Williams added afterward that “since we’re in Motown, we’re gonna stay right in Motown,” adding “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” to the mix.
Before that song, Williams spoke about how he and his wife had seen an “awesome story” about the Temptations called Ain’t Too Proud to Beg live on stage before the pandemic had broken out.
“I never imagined we would have to see these kinds of times,” he added. “I’m grateful for being here.” Moore agreed. “I’ll stay in CT,” he said.
The duo took the crowd on their own journey through the decades, from Kool and the Gang in the ‘80s to Grover Washington Jr. in the ‘70s and even took it “down to New Orleans” in the ‘60s with B.B. King’s “The Thrill is Gone,” each musician digging deep into the vibe, making each song his own and adding to the warmth created by the flame heaters scattered through the patio.
In addition to all of the above, a movie was playing on the wall over the dining area throughout the night, beginning with Monty Python and The Holy Grail and ending with Back to the Future, an apropos choice for an evening when it felt like we were returning to the used to be in another way and shape. It felt safe and familiar. It felt like we could have a bit of what we had been missing.
“We’ve been missing the music a lot,” said Moore.
“I’m enjoying myself,” said Williams. “I hope you are enjoying yourself. Enjoy yourself!”
Jazz Thursdays continue every Thursday at Harvest Wine Bar and Restaurant from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Please see the Blue Plate Radio Entertainment Facebook page for the schedule of performers.