Some people just have talent running through their veins. And for some it's not just a one dimensional talent. Let's take Jonny King. I first came to know Jonny through his fly tying and the flies he created like the Kinky Muddler and the Hoo Fly. I would watch him at the fly fishing and tying shows and
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| TFFS, Somerset 2012 |
would attend his presentations and listen to him on various podcasts. And not only does he tie sick saltwater patterns but his freshwater ties are just as good. Add to that his squid fly and you can see the boys' got some talent.
He works a daytime gig as an intellectual property lawyer and he's a pretty well rounded guy. BUT, there's more. I had come to learn he is world renowned jazz pianist who plays regular gigs in NewYork City. So he's a master fly tyer, lawyer, and jazz pianist.....and he probably has a huge pen......pencil that he writes with, you sick bastards. He's just one of those guys. So for years I had promised myself that one day I would go and check out a show.
This Christmas I got Lauren, my classical pianist turned mechanic and now studying jazz piano, a trip to to NYC to see Jonny. We drove in and made our way to the West Village and after a short search found a parking spot in front of a store with a long line leading into it. Long line? Food? Must be good. It was a place called L'Industrie Pizzeria.
Ironically enough, the original place is just a few blocks from where Juliet used to live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was worth the wait and we scored a table inside to sit down for a bit while most people ate standing up outside on the sidewalk. We were way early and wanted to get a good seat to the general admission show. So after a lot of walking around we found Mezzrow. Luckily I had
purchased tickets previously so we were in and also the first in line outside. While we waited the fireman in me couldn't help but notice where the event was taking place. It was in the basement of 163 W. 10th Street, a five story brick old law tenement. It was my first time there and after looking at the way down I just crossed my fingers and
hoped for the best. Well down inside it was a really cool place, with plenty of lighting and emergency exits. It was an intimate setting and being the first in line got us a seat right to Jonny's left. Lauren
got to hit some keys while bassist Dezron Douglas tuned up. He and King would be kept in time with beats from drummer Billy Drummond. Before the show started the servers made their way around the
room. As is customary in these type of venues there was a 2-drink minimum. I figured I'd go local and ordered up a Brooklyn Lager while Lauren met her requirement with a Shirley Temple.
The trio put on a great first set show. I don't know much about jazz but Jonny mc'd the event telling us about the songs they played which were a mix of covers and original pieces. Each got to display their
talents with long solos throughout the one hour set. Lauren really enjoyed the show and it was helpful for her as a jazz piano student. Not knowing anything about piano, I just figured okay, just bang away at the keys in a different way, Wolfgang Mozart or Count Basie, it's just piano. But it's a totally different
jam if you will. It made me proud to just sit back and listen as Lauren and Jonny talked shop. I just sat and took it all in. I've seen Jonny do the same thing when it comes to fly tying. He's always approachable and always willing to lead you in the right direction or offer some advice. Besides the flies, and the law and the piano, he's just a stand up nice guy. If you would like to see Jonny play you
can check out the calendar HERE, on the Smalls (Mezzrow) Jazz Club website. It's two jazz clubs under the same website. Or, if you see him at the The Fly Fishing Show, ask him when he'll be playing in some upcoming gigs. You won't be disappointed. Well, only in yourself, after you realize how talentless you really are....just kidding.