Romero Lubambo and Chico Pinheiro Two Brazilian Jazz Guitarists

Two of the today's leading Brazilian jazz guitarists, Romero Lubambo on acoustic guitar and Chico Pinheiro on electric guitar performed together to the delight of a sold-out performance at 222.  Lubambo and Pinheiro are prolific recording artists and composers of contemporary Brazilian jazz.  The program consisted of recent compositions by each.  Lubambo and Pinheiro chided each other while introducing their own compositions which they both claimed to have written within the past two weeks, or as Lubambo said, "I just composed this two hours, ago."  Many a true thing is said in jest, and I believed him.  I also believed the warm rapport between the seventy-something and thirty-something artists whose mutual admiration was apparent.  The opening number was "April Love" and the evening was a love fest of vivacious strumming that was mesmerizing to watch and hypnotic to listen to.  Pinheiro, a twice Grammy nominated artist, is a highly acclaimed guitarist haling from São Paulo.  He's collaborated with Pacido Domingo, Herbie Hancock Dianne Reeves and Esperanza Spalding.  Lubambo's playing blends the styles of his native Brazil with American jazz creating a distinctive, new sound that is warm and energetic.  Ernest Barteldes of "All About Jazz" called him "One of the best acoustic jazz guitarists alive today."  Lubambo has performed along with Billie Eilish, Yo-Yo Ma, Diana Reeves, Harry Belafonte and Wynton Masalis.  The club-like atmosphere of 222, an art gallery by day and  live performing venue in the evening, is a large open gallery-space with club tables with settings of 4 replete with down turned lights and a bowl of Godiva chocolates.  Life is a box of chocolates.  The potpourri of performers lined up for the year include jazz, classical and contemporary musicians, films, authors and poets.  You're sure to get something to your liking.  

To See It or Not to See It Melinda's Picks for What You May Have Missed

 Looking for something to watch and not finding anything amongst the zillions of choices, watch these:

1.  Heavy Water Wars - WWII series back on true people and facts (watch with your computer and verify) these heroic soldiers make for an intense and inspiring true story.  The race for atomic power and world dominance came very close to being won by Germany.  

2.   Reservoir Dogs - Four indigenous teens get the feel and issues real.

3.  Don't Make Me Go - Y/A movie with John Cho - Touching father/daughter bond.

4.  Best Sellers with Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza.  Need I say more?

     Michael Caine movies to watch:  The Cider House Rules, Going in Style

     Aubrey Plaza movies to watch:  Safety Not Guaranteed, Black Bear

5.   Old Men - Series with Jeff Bridges and Amy Brenneman - A mystery/action thriller that thrills.

6.   Evil - a chilling crime/psychological series that will have you up at night.

7.   The Last Movie Stars - A Doc. of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward derived from transcripts of Newman's audio -taped interviews.  Directed by Ethan Hawke, roles read by actor friends.

8.  The Rehearsal  Reality series where real life situations are enacted to help prepare; unusual, quirky fun   

9.   The Driver - Japanese film nominated for Best Foreign Film (English subtitles)

    

Murders Only in the Building-Show that Slays with Mystery and Humor

"Murders Only in the Building" is the best comedy/thriller series on TV.  You can find it on Hulu in its 2nd season.  It's expected to be renewed for a third season.  Three complete strangers living in an UWS landmark building, share a penchant for murder podcasts.  They're strewn together by mysterious happenings in their building, including a murder.  Longtime friends in real life, Steve Martin and Martin Short, play Charles and Oliver, two has been actors and thespians.  The chemistry between the them is no surprise, but what's surprisingly pleasing is Selena Gomez in the mix.  Gomez plays Mabel, a young artist who inhabits a large but worn down unit in the building.  Their begrudgingly, irritable relationships are humorous and ingratiating.  The generational disparity jokes are LOL.  Seizing on each other's obsessions with solving murders they collaborate to produce a podcast of the murder that just occurred very close to home; right in their pre-war building.  To their delight, they garner a small but devoted fan base.  The show's writing is ingenious and continuously mystifying.  The layers of intrigue and suspense are blended with comedy and poignancy to make this a truly unique and entertaining show.  It keeps you guessing and clamoring more.  The entire ensemble of actors are exceptional albeit the role played by model/actress Cara Delevigne.  Delvigne plays an art gallerist and a love interest to Mabel in season two.  Other tenants in the building are played by top echelon actors include Jane Hoffman, Michael Creighton, Amy Ryan and Jayne Houdyshell.  They're all outstanding and manifest native, New Yorker lunacy.  Other cast members include Nathan Lane as Teddy, a successful Broadway producer and his son Theo,  played by James Caverly.  Ryan Broussard plays Martin Short's son.  Both Caverly and Broussard add powerful acting and storylines to an already complex plot.  Da'Vine Randolph plays the lead detective who is both frustrated and impressed with the blundering attempts at solving the murders by Charles, Oliver and Mable.  "Murders" pays homage to Broadway in various, clever ways.  It's also a loving tribute to the greatest city on earth.  Look for guest starring spots as this is hot, must see TV.  Each week brings more twists and turns and humor.  I'm frustrated having to wait for following episodes. "Murders Only in the Building" is the only true cliff-hanger that builds this much tension.   You may to want kill someone for making you wait for next week's episode.  Please don't leave me hanging?  Will it be renewed for a third season?  Yes, please!

Dave Chappelle El Capitan of Comedy

Thursday night Dave Chappelle played in Santa Rosa to a packed house.  Chappelle, loved by millions of fans for his brilliant, irreverent and uproarious comedy.  Chappelle had walked away from his highly successfully and lucrative sketch show "Chappelle's Show (2003-06) midseason.  His career has been steered by his genius.  It's been skyrocketing ever since.  His numerous accolades include 3 Grammy Awards and 5 Emmy Awards.  In 2019, Dave was honored with the Mark Twain Comedy Award at the Kennedy Center.  I bestow the title, greatest working comic today and arguably greatest of all-time.  He has the gift for making people laugh, think and feel great while doing both.  Making people laugh together and feel good is a great gift to have and bestow.  The evening started rather slow.  The doors were to open at 7PM.  The lines wrapped around the parking lot.  We were held while phones were locked down despite being forewarned not to bring them.  Chappelle didn't appear on stage until 8:30PM.  Was it worth the wait?  Hell, yes!  The first warm-up comedian, Marshall Wiggins, a name I hadn't heard but a name to remember, was disarmingly funny.  He opened by telling the audience, "My 24 year old daughter just pierced her nipples.  I don't have a joke for that, I just needed to share."  He tied this quip into his hilarious short set with a routine involving aliens and an acceptable usage of the word, nigger.  Chappelle got onstage, with his signature cigarette and tequila drink in hand.  (He lit up and was not ejected.  Two people near me were escorted out for using their phones). Chappelle began saying, "This is one nigger free city.  I haven't seen a nigger in 3 days."  Chappelle's arms were ripped under his white T-shirt.  It looked as if he was sporting a bullet-proof vest.  Chappelle was recently attacked while on stage at the Hollywood Bowl this summer.  He worked this incident into his routine complaining Chris Rock stole the spotlight by asking the Bowl audience, if it was Will Smith.  "Man, I was pissed, after 2 months of silence, now he has something to say. The mother-fucker stole my limelight."  Dave also said his attacker is now suing him for being roughed up by his security people.  Chappelle's been married for 20+ years and admitted he's cheated.  "Whoops!  My wife wasn't all that upset, after all, she's not out on the road making the money."  Dave shared a glass of tequila with a man in the front row.  He as a pro handling boisterous hecklers.  "Man, I gotta raise my ticket prices."  I would go again, at double the going price.  The evening was priceless; one for the memory books.  "Thanks for the memory, Awfully glad I met you. Thank you." (Bob Hope)