Tyler Schwartz Group @ Piano’s

Tyler Schwartz Group
Piano’s, New York, NY
March 15, 2008
http://www.myspace.com/tylerschwartzjazz

I don’t pretend to understand jazz. I never have and am not sure I ever will. What I do understand is rocking out and having a good time. Who doesn’t? So if you are anything like me, then one band you should know about is the Tyler Schwartz Group.

Take three absurdly talented jazz musicians, throw in a dance party with a drum and bass soundtrack and top it all off with a bit of wit and a few surprises, and the result is these three guys. The Tyler Schwartz Group consists of Tyler Schwartz himself, the charismatic saxophonist who leads the trio, Aaron Steele, a fast drummer who makes dance beats look simple, and keyboardist Dominic Fallacaro, who is able to mindbendingly play both organ accompaniment and a fantastic bass line at the same time.

The group just completed a month-long Saturday night residency at Piano’s in New York City, which Tyler rightly referred to as “the heart of the Lower East Side.” Original songs with names like “Intimidation by Vocabulary” and well-known covers like “SexyBack” made up the two sets they played each week. Singer Natalie John joined them the evening I photographed, lending a sweet, jazz standard feel to the music. By the time they finished playing, most of the open space in Piano’s lounge had turned into a dance party, perfectly setting the stage for the DJ who followed and making it no surprise that their other shows this year have been at small dance clubs and parties throughout the city.

If you are in need of a good time – or even if you aren’t – head out for an evening on the town the next time you see the Tyler Schwartz Group on the bill. You’ll regret it if you don’t.