NICE >> There’s something about momentarily escaping the crowded streets and isles of tall skyscrapers. In one word, it’s just “therapeutic,” as San Francisco-based saxophonist Nancy Wright puts it.
It was the complete experience that ended with a Monday evening jam session at the Blue Wing in Upper Lake years back that kept Wright coming back to play in Lake County thereafter. From driving up north where the sunset meets the quiet highway to the friendships she has made, Wright knew these small-town gigs were just as important.
“There’s this great energy exchange when I’m there,” she explained. “The friendships, the hospitality, it’s been a pleasure playing there.”
She has had her fair share of urban escape performances, many of which were in Lake County.
“I lost count, but I can easily say I’ve been there more than 20 times,” Wright said.
And with two shows lined up this weekend in Nice and Upper Lake, that will make it 20-plus visits and counting.
Wright has performed at the Blue Wing and at the Soper Reese in Lakeport several times over the course of about five years. This year, she’s checking off another Lake County venue: the Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino in Nice. She’ll be performing there tonight at 9 p.m. and returning to the Blue Wing on Monday, Nov. 20 starting at 6:30 p.m.
As usual, audience members can expect the highly respected sax player to deliver a sharp, yet sweet package of blues, soul, jazz, and r&b. Wright will perform original work from her previous albums Moanin’ and Puttin’ Down Roots, which scored her a top-20 spot in the DownBeat Reader’s Poll and a boast-worthy place in the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame. She will also play her latest release Playdate! — it earned a four-star review in DownBeat.
There’ll be just one thing a little different this time. Wright announced that she will perform this weekend with new members that recently formed the Nancy Wright and the Rhythm and Roots band.
Just a few months back when playing with her go-to musicians became more challenging due to the Bay Area’s high demand in musicians, Wright crossed paths with three individuals she thought would be an “unusual yet perfect mix.” Jules Leyhe on guitar, Isaac Schwartz on drums, and Ian McArdle on the piano are now the Rhythm and Roots part of the band.
“They’ve got an old soul,” Wright said about the band members. “I do a lot of original music and they’re good at picking things up. They bring something a little different, unusual, but they just mix so well.”
The two shows this weekend will probably not be the only times Wright and the Rhythm and Roots may perform in. Wright and the band hope to stop by Sunday night at the Blue Wing and see Paul Kemp and Machiko Shimeda play.
“Who knows, maybe we’ll join them on Sunday. Mix it up a little for the Lake County folks.”
With that, it’s safe to say Wright and the Rhythm and Roots may return for another urban escape.
