Review: Ian Bernard and  Pinky Winters

by Kathryn Stockbridge

IAN BERNARD THE QUINTISSENTIAL JAZZ MUSICIAN
WHO ALWAYS SURPRISES US.

  Santa Barbara Jazz Society audiences always look forward to an Ian Bernard event because he always surprises us with tunes he's written, new endearing stories and new talent. This time he introduced us to the wonderful Pinky Winters who the audience loved.  In addition to Ian the band included two wonderful musicians, Paul Kreibich on drums and Richard Simon on bass.

  The concert began with Ian playing a song he wrote many years ago for his friend Red Norvo entitled "Red Eye".  Ian had done a wonderful arrangement for this song and all the arrangements for the songs during the afternoon.

  He then played a pop song from the 50's called "All or Nothing At All" which also had an interesting arrangement followed by another of his compositions entitled "Sliding"

  In introducing Pinky Winters he explained that he had known her for 40 years but never knew she was a singer until recently when they both worked together in a tribute to Johnny Mandel.

She started with a memorable rendition of  'Nice and Easy' with a wonderful arrangement by Ian.  She then sang "Tea For Two" in a slow easy style followed by "Teach Me Tonight".

  Pinky then sang a beautiful song entitled "Find The Way To Love Me" which Ian had written for Rosemary Clooney and was recorded by her.  The audience loved it.

  At one point when introducing a

 song, Pinky referred to two of her former accompanists who had passed away.  Ian quickly retorted that he wasn't feeling good.  This is the kind of repartee that went on during the afternoon in addition to superb jazz.

  Ian Bernard is a multi talented musician whose concerts remind us that Jazz is alive and well!  If you weren't there you missed a great show!

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