The instant buzz around town for the music scene on the 29th was “Pass the word: Marshall Ruffin will open and stay to perform with Peggy Jenkins and The Bizness at The Loft tonight.”
Word travels fast when music on that rarified level is being offered and the packed crowd was indication of just how well Facebook, MySpace and word on the street can spread.
Marshall opened his set the way he always performs. In his highly-trained depth and style, he graces the stage in a straight-forward, focused way. His talent notwithstanding—which is huge—his obvious love for good music along with perfecting his uncommon sounds with ease and devotion, comes through every time. His vocal range is full, wide and sweet. He can communicate a bluesy spiritual with the same ease, purity, integrity and intensity that come through with his more complicated original songs. Let’s face it: he’s an amalgamation of all the good qualities of the great artists with no apparent downside at all. Add to that the fact that he’s angelic eye candy and it’s all win/win.
After Marshall’s stellar performance, Larry Rose and The Bizness took the stage by storm. Peggy Jenkins had gotten caught in the heavy traffic downtown created by the outdoor concert series, which calls for the street running directly in front of The Loft to be blocked. If you know the fabulous Peggy Jenkins then you can imagine what difficulty that presented for her. But, leave it to Larry Rose to more than entertain and delight the packed house while we waited for her arrival. To watch Larry Rose perform is always a double treat, the sound and the fury. You have to be there.
Then Miz Peggy Jenkins arrived. Glory be, is all there is to say. When she takes the stage, her energy, personality and musical ability drive all remembrance of anything but the present moment from your mind. She IS. Boundless connectedness with her audience who openly adore her and the rest is high voltage, non-stop entertainment.
The booming sound of her voice, as she delivers blues, jazz and cover songs with ease, along with her constant banter with her loyal fans, illustrate why she rated performing with Patti LaBelle back in the day. Columbus and the area are fortunate to have such a seasoned mega-talent as Peggy in our midst. As all her fans know—“She Don’t Like the Rain.” You can see the huge respect that Marshall Ruffin has for her as well as Larry Rose and The Bizness as he stands, side stage, joining in each song yet bowing to the musicians center stage.
One popular segment occurred when Peggy invited anyone in the audience who thought they could sing to join her onstage for “Ain’t No Sunshine When You’re Gone.” We were privileged to have Jaime Marshall, who works hard for the money at The Loft serving customers night after night, belt out verses and chorus in her vast vocal range. Don’t know why she isn’t headlining. Then, Dirty Dan (Davidson) scorched the microphone while joining in along with Matt Self, Manager at The Loft, who is another unique and talented local musician. Lending just the right touch, Tye Izumi, another brainiac performer, delivered his spot-on Prince rendition. It was a Kodak and You-Tube moment.
Credit and kudos, also, to the flawless Sound Tech abilities of Sam Kuonen.
It was a great evening for music in downtown Columbus.
