Harmonic Improv Folk Jazz
Little Flower House Concert #27
The May 2022 house concert featured the Charlie Ballantine Duo with Jesse Wittman on bass. This was the 3-year anniversary of the Little Flower House Concert Series! Since Charlie and Jesse played the very first house concert back in May of 2019, it was exciting to welcome them back to celebrate this milestone.
With Charlie on guitar with some looping and effects, and Jesse on standup bass, this house concert had a very chill vibe. These are some of the most talented jazz musicians in our city and they are both involved in several other musical endeavours. Charlie has several albums out, is always pursuing progressive musical projects, and even plans out tours all over the country. Jesse is a skilled music educator and regularly performs throughout the city for all kinds of events.
Due to weather, once again I had to move the concert inside rather than doing it outside as planned. Fortunately, the house is always ready to go and I never cancel a house concert due to weather. Ironically, the first tune they played during the performance was Sunny Side of the Street. Considering the rain, this was both funny and fitting! Listening to these guys play is always a good time and they have the most chill vibe.
They also played several of Charlie Ballantine’s original compositions. Something I always enjoy about listening to Charlie’s music is how he bends the melody into an organic, improvised, work of art. At times he will alter the tune into something almost unrecognizable that he magically circles back into something more familiar where he started.
Here’s part of what Charlie had to say during the house concert…“Thank you for coming and hanging out tonight at my good friend Kati’s amazing house concert series. Thanks for having us Kati… We did the first inaugural house concert back when she was just thinking of getting this started. It has blown up into this amazing thing that so many people from the music community and the neighborhood can enjoy in this great environment that she created. We’re so happy to be back here!”
Jesse Wittman said I could quote him when he casually commented after the house concert… “This will be one of my best experiences performing in 8 months!”
Celebrating 3 Years!
As with all Little Flower House Concerts, there’s a suggested donation which all goes to the musicians. The money that guests donate help bring arts to the neighborhood and build a stronger, kinder community. Being able to provide a space for artists to perform to an audience of listeners has been the best thing in my life over the last 3 years and it is amazing to be able to celebrate this milestone with so many friends and neighbors.
Charlie and Jesse are such humble musicians. Their presence and attitude towards performing is part of why I love them so much but their music is spectacular. Go listen to it or better yet, catch them live!
Thank you everyone for supporting this concert series. See you soon!
