Jelani Eddington & Donnie Rankin

Jelani Eddington / Donnie Rankin concert review 3-14-20

This evening’s live performance was cancelled to the public due to a virus and the high school was forced to close its doors. Our fabulous performers arrived early and were permitted to perform a streamed show with a minimum crew to operate the system. I was not allowed in myself, though I tried. I was able to obtain, with the help of Carl Black, a playlist of the program, professionally prepared by Jelani himself. I can’t thank them enough. The program was amazing as was the choreography on stage. The performers had to share the stage with two Kimball organ consoles, a stage piano, a huge set of drums and a typewriter. Each player soloed on the main Kimball, and each played duets from both consoles, both played duets with the main Kimball and the piano, and Jelani played the main Kimball four times while Donnie was on his set of drums and once as Donnie played on a typewriter. Definitely a new version of “Dancing in the Dark”.

After a brief introduction by our president, Dr. David Ruth, and his explanation of the current circumstances of this performance, the mighty Kimball rose from the pit with the first entertainer of the evening, Mr. Jelani Eddington, playing All’s Fair in Love and War, from the 1936 movie “Gold Diggers of 1937”. The music was by Salvatore Guarangna, better known as Harry Warren, one of America’s most prolific film song composers, featured in over 300 films and writing over 800 songs. One of his last songs, Chattanooga Choo Choo, was the first gold record in history presented to him in 1942 by RCA. It was a gold painted record. The first official gold record was Catch a Falling Star by Perry Como in 1958.

Jelani introduced Donnie Rankin on his drums and they played a Neal Hefti and Stanley Styne piece called Cute, after which Donnie moved to the piano and was accompanied by Jelani on the Kimball as they performed They Say It’s Wonderful by Irving Berlin from the 1946 musical “Annie Get Your Gun”.

Jelani now leaves the stage as Donnie moves to the Kimball for the next two solos. The first is Temptation from the 1933 movie “Going Hollywood” and sung by Bing Crosby. The composer was Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed. This was followed by My Old Flame from the 1934 film “Belle of the Nineties” with words and music by Sam Coslow and Arthur Johnston.

Donnie now reintroduces Jelani and then travels across the stage to the old Kimball as Jelani takes control of the main console. Jelani informs us that the next set will be a John Williams medley that was arranged by the late Chris Gorsuch and was performed by them, if I remember correctly, and the music was as follows: The Main Theme from “Superman”, Flying Theme for “ET”, Luke and Leia Theme from “Star Wars”, Mission Theme from NBC News, Hymn to the Fallen from “Saving Private Ryan”, and “Star Wars Imperial March “ or Darth Vader’s Theme. All- in- all a great duet.

The next piece was a solo by Jelani, a favorite of his as sung by Ella Fitzgerald, and composed by George Gershwin for the 1937 movie “Shall We Dance” and introduced by Fred Astaire, (I’ve Got) Beginner’s Luck.

Leroy Anderson composed the next two pieces. The first was written in 1950 but not released until 1953, a novelty tune intitled The Typewriter. Jelani did his part on the Kimball while Donnie did

his part on an old fashion typewriter, just the way Leroy wrote it. The next piece leading into the imaginary intermission was Anderson Piano Concerto Mov III. Jelani took the piano for this one while Donnie was on the Kimball with a snare drum at his side for the very beginning. It was first performed on July 18,1953 and after several unfavorable reviews he did not publish or record it. He died in 1975. His wife revived it in 1989 and in 1992 it was recorded by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

Dr. Ruth, our president, opened the second half which began with Jelani on Kimball and Donnie on drums and the rousing Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) composed by Louis Prima in 1936 but mostly associated with Benny Goodman. Most big band arrangements were limited to about 3 minutes to fit on one side of a 10 inch 78 RPM record. Mr. Goodman’s version lasted 8 minutes and 43 seconds taking up both sides of a 12 inch 78. A live recording was made with impromptu solos and took up a whole 12 minutes and 30 seconds.

Donnie leaves and Jelani continues with music from James Bond movies. First up was James Bond the Main Theme by Monty Norman and has been receiving royalties since 1962. This was followed by Nobody Does It Better from the movie “The Spy Who Loved Me” composed by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager and sung by Carly Simon. Jelani finished it up with a reprise of the theme.

In honor of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day, two Irish tunes were next. The first was a traditional Irish folk song and arranged by Leroy Anderson Minstrel Boy, Jelani on organ and Donnie on Drums. Donnie moved to the old Kimball for the duet of Irish Washerwoman a traditional jig incorporated as the first movement of the “Irish Suite” arranged by Leroy Anderson in 1946.

Donnie replaces Jelani on the Kimball and plays a beautiful arrangement of What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life composed by Michel Legrand for the 1969 film “The Happy Ending” lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Donnie intermixed the Theme from Sumer of 42 as a perfect blend.

Jelani returned to the main Kimball and Donnie took his seat at the Drums for Paul Desmond’s Take Five a jazz standard originally recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet for the album “Time Out” in 1959 and has become the biggest selling jazz single ever.

The next piece in the show has Donnie back on the Kimball and Jelani back at the piano for Anyone Can Whistle from the Broadway musical of the same title in 1964. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and marked the musical debut of Angela Lansbury.

Originally composed as a ballet by Maurice Ravel in 1928, Bolero was next with Jelani on the main console and Donnie on the old.

Jelani now reexplains to us at home that there would normally be applause at this time, I would absolutely agree as this was a very special performance, and that there would be an encore Therefore they had one prepared and remaining at their respective places the final duet was John Phillips Sousa’s most famous composition with music in December 1896 and lyrics in May 1897, Stars and Stripes Forever. What a night it had been, only wish we could all have been there. Thanks so much to you both!