It was new venue for me tonight, live event at Kobe’s Steakhouse in Seal Beach. Before cozying up to my designated bar stool, I was thrilled to connect with Marcus Johnson’s band members. I hadn’t seen ‘the guys’ in a long while, so we exchanged a few music stories before DJ Pat Prescott from THE WAVE in Los Angeles took the corner mic from a side audience perch.

Pat Prescott~

“One of my very good buddies from the East Coast is having his CD release party tonight! He’s an attorney! He’s also a radio announcer, writer and producer. Those of you that know me know I grew up on the East Coast.” She talked about the CD giveaways she had planned for the evening and added, “We’re very excited to have him here! Ladies and gentlemen, here’s Marcus Johnson!”

Marcus Johnson~

“It’s kinda different to have a brotha do the rock stuff. Tonight is the release party for my CD, This is How I Rock.” Marcus did some general clowning around and joked about sequels of ‘This is How I Rock’ CD planned for upcoming years.

Pat~

“We’ll see if this is how you roll! We know we can expect a great CD. Mark’s changing the guards here.”

Marcus Johnson~

“We still do what we do. This is my opportunity to show you how I rock!”

Pat Prescott~

Tonight you’re in for something special with Marcus Johnson. We’ll start the show in just ten minutes.”

Before long, the lights popped up and Pat was on~

“First thing I gotta do is say woo woo! I got my Delta sisters in the back.” She warned Marcus not to kid her about her friends, claiming if they left the crowd would thin significantly. “We have some giveaways to do for the Catalina Jazz Trax and more. You guys ready? We’d like to thank Kobe’s Steakhouse. You know you’re gonna love him and you’re really gonna enjoy him tonight! Ladies and gentlemen, Marcus Johnson!”

Marcus Johnson~

“What’s up y’all? We have two sets tonight because of the release party.” Johnson shared stories of his law school adventures at Georgetown and playing with Eric Valentine in 1995. “The next one is a tune called That’s Enough from my new CD, This is How I Rock.”

From moment one there was no doubt in my mind this is how he rocks

it! Keyboardist Marcus uncorked it, Darryl thumped his bass and Nigel fingered his guitar strings like greased lightening while Eric gave it up on drums. My boys had it goin’ on! It was like watching a musical family reunion! Johnson lit up the keys like an early Christmas.

Eric Valentine released~ “Yeah!” from the corner drum pocket.

The music was flowin’ like hot creamery butter. Arch-backed Nigel Williams hit his guitar riffs full speed ahead, gifting a short solo.

Marcus~

“Y’all, give it up for Nigel Williams!”

From there, Johnson thwacked his crazy keys laced with Valentine’s perfect drumbeat. The synchronicity of their stage energy was amazing. Each and every one of them gave it up and timed it perfectly. Niguel started back in, bent over and hittin’ it. The volley went straight to Johnson front stage, center shining like starlight.

Marcus Johnson~

“I wrote a song for Doc.”

He talked about meeting Pat Prescott at radio station, cd101.9, his respect and performances for the armed forces.

Marcus~

“This one’s gonna feature Darryl Williams. By the way, let’s give it up for Nigel Williams!” Johnson playfully referred to Darryl as D-Dub and suggested the nickname for his next CD title, stipulating his rights to a cut.

Johnson~

“Doc’s Groove features Darryl Williams.”

Darryl bumped this one off-the-hook! Marcus was layin’ it out while bad boy Williams penetrated the thump. Darryl was a superstar here, taking us to the moon and back again. He ran away with it more than once while headband-clad Eric Valentine electrified the drummin’ party he was having in the corner pocket. Guitarist, Nigel Williams added a stellar accompaniment the jazzy soiree. Keyboardist Johnson rose to the top like crème for a spectacular finale.

Audience member~

“You don’t need to be a lawyer!”

Marcus~

“You always gotta take care of business, baby! Well, they asked for Danny’s Song, so we gotta do that! You gotta do the things that make you smile! God plus me is a majority! We’re gonna play one that was #4 on Billboard and nominated for an Image Award. This is Danny’s Song from the Poetically Justified CD. This is what I challenge you to be, poetically justified!” This tune was definitely poetry in motion. The guys were hotter than ever, what a vibe! The signature Nigel tw-a-a-ang rock n’ rolled it out. Marcus Johnson twirled is fingers across the keyboard like a dozen spinning tops. The Nigel-Darryl guitarist facial banter was proof positive they were in the zone. The crowd went nuts!

Crowd member~

“Play it now! Play it!”

Marcus~

“So, that’s a little Danny’s Song.” Johnson tilted his head toward an audience member. “She’s up here chillin’ with her champagne and Aretha’s here from Washington D.C. This song is off the Poetic Justified CD. It’s called This Place Hotel. It’s a Michael Jackson tune.”

Johnson reinvented every inch of the keyboard with is crowd-raising, key-stompin’ chops. Such a great idea inviting memories of Michael Jackson to his CD release party! Nigel’s string bliss carried us straight to crazy when Eric ripped into the drums. The scrunched his headband over his eyes and dished out a solo that would make a sighted drummer turn green with envy.

Marcus~

“Ladies and gentlemen, Niguel Williams on guitar, Eric Valentine on drums, D-Dub on bass. My name is Marcus Johnson. We’re gonna conclude our first set and warn you, it might get even crazier! The groove hasn’t started yet! It’s great to have a sold-out event for my CD party and I appreciate that! We’re gonna continue to show our behinds later in the show.”

Pat Prescott~

“Marcus Johnson, ladies and gentlemen give it up! He plays the piano, he tells jokes and if you need legal advice he’ll be in the corner!”

Thank you Marcus Johnson and the band for one stellar CD release party! I hope to see you again on another shore perhaps, jazzin’ it up for sure!

© July 2010 Lynn M. Olson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED