In Review: Spring into Summer Concert

Live Music Movement Foundation’s Spring into Summer Concert on June 10th welcomed the season with a refreshing musical event. The program featured Leslie Drayton & Friends and began with “Monday Afternoon” an original piece that set the stage for the rest of the evening. It was followed by “Ventura County Line” then a lively performance of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust,” which featured a beautiful and engaging melody. A groovy and energetic arrangement of Thelonious Monk’s “In Walked Bud” rounded out the first half of the evening.

The evening continued with “Spring Fever” the first of five tunes in a collection called “Houston Strong Suite”.  For anyone not familiar with ‘Houston Strong’, the phrase was born out of a spirit of resolve among Houstonians despite the devastation Hurricane Harvey unleashed. The suite not only weaved a story throughout the five tunes but also felt as if it was recounting the evolution of raw human emotions that were experienced before, during and after the storm.

​ “Spring Fever” eased in the suite with a “get down to the floor” groove that electrified the audience. It relayed a sense of liveliness and renewal of actual springtime.

​ “Carefree” whisked in with the Cuban clave, a five-beat rhythmic structure that served as the foundation of the tune. Percussionist Marcus Alexander skillfully led as the audience joined in on the performance and clapped the clave throughout the piece adding to its pulsating energy. The tune summed up what the evening was about, carefree enjoyment of life and excellent music.

​“Warning Signs” began with Darryl Richards on the saxophone which symbolized a calmness before the coming chaos and Leslie Drayton’s solo on the trumpet was robust and infectious.

​A moving piano solo by Samuel Reid represented the storm’s occurrence and served as space to ponder emotions left in the hurricane’s wake and was followed by “After the Rain Was Gone,” a reflective and uplifting piece that focused on the aftermath of the storm.

​Bassist Weldon Scott delivered a rousing solo during “Resilience,” the last piece of the night. His spirited and enduring performance embodied the essence of the tune.

​The ‘Houston Strong Suite’ was a pleasant mixture of thoughtful and entertaining music. Music is said to be therapeutic and with the anniversary of Hurricane Harvey approaching, these compositions were right on time.

​If you haven’t had a chance to attend a performance or if you missed the last one, make sure to look out for emails with exciting information on LMMF’s upcoming events. Two first time patrons, Kathleen Simpson and Joyce Rems summed up their experience with one word, “amazing!” Another patron insisted they “wouldn’t miss another one.” Don’t miss another concert. We promise you won’t be disappointed.

Denise Powell is a freelance copywriter and an avid reader. Her other interests include plants and healthy living. She currently lives in Houston, Texas.

Live Music Movement Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to promote, present and preserve jazz, blues and soul music. Visit or contact us for more details: www.livemusicmovement.com, [email protected] 
or 713-425-3937.