By Peter B. Brace
Nantucket Independent
Posted Jul 23, 2010 @ 11:30 AM
Last update Jul 23, 2010 @ 12:42 PM
Nantucket —
Wafting out into the night air through the Chanticleer’s garden under the moonlight and around the village of ’Sconset this summer are the sensual sounds of jazz from the trio, Opus 3. Band leader Seth Burkhart on drums, his wife, Jane Dean-Burkhart, on piano and islander Erik Wendelken on stand-up bass, subbing for full-time bassist Nelson Cruz, are quickly evolving into the Chanticleer’s house band for the summer, something that restaurateur Susan Handy has been trying to bring to her new business since she bought it five years ago. “I think it’s really nice for the people in ’Sconset to have live music in the village, but I think it’s nice for the people in town. It’s transporting to come out here and get away from the hustle and bustle,” said Handy. Handy’s friend and fellow Nantucketer Tom Dickson is the catalyst for the band’s playing at the Chanticleer. He grew up with Burkhart and knew that the Burkharts were spending the summer on Nantucket. “I always thought it would be great if there was a jazz club on Nantucket,” said Dickson, who visits jazz clubs in Harlem, whenever he gets the chance. Those imagining a smoke-filled room with table lights lit low and a boozy vibe emanating from the stage in the stereotypical environ of a city jazz club, will definitely hear that type of music. (Scroll down for video) Yet the atmosphere last week was a bit livelier. Tables in front of the bar held diners, bar patrons and jazz aficionados, who came specifically for the Chanticleer’s emergence as a jazz venue. “On Wednesday night, the most important thing was the room was filled and it was a rainy night and I didn’t recognize anybody,” said Dickson. “I hope that the house trio will attract individual soloists whom I’ve met from New York City – at least on one of those days. During July 13’s gig, the soloist was legendary saxophonist George Young. “Mr. George” played with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Goodman, with his own trio in the 1960s on the “Ed Sullivan Show” and in the “Saturday Night Live” Band when G.E. Smith led it. Without a doubt, Opus 3 and certainly those in the bar, breathed rare air that night while their ears were caressed by Young’s masterful sounds. Laying down chords and notes for Young to inhabit with his talent felt natural for Opus 3. “It was a lot of straight-ahead jazz, some crossover with some Latin, a lot of standards,” said Burkhart. “We take a lot of songs from Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Great American stuff like that, and we put a new dress on it and make it our own. “It doesn’t matter where our trio plays, whether it’s in Europe or Asia, the United States or the Middle East, it’s like being in New York City.” Complementing their attempt at bringing the essence of the Harlem jazz scene to ’Sconset, Handy and Dickson are hoping that a brief departure from the Chanticleer’s staid, formal dining experience will entice a broader clientele. To wit, dress is casual and there is a prix fixe menu at $30 with mixed drinks at $10 and beer at $7 during the shows. “There’s a legacy and aura around the Chanticleer and a dress code of coat and tie,” said Dickson. “It’s something that needs to be shaken.” Through Labor Day, catch Opus 3 at the Chanticleer at 9 New St. in ’Sconset on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. No reservations needed.
We are working on new material for our third album this summer while staying close to home for the summer.
We will be performing every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Chanticleer on Nantucket for the summer.
O3T fans!
Happy Canada Day, happy 4th of July and happy summer to you all!
Opus 3 is currently on a brief hiatus from traveling and we’re using this time to work on new material for our next album.
For those who are on the East Coast (New England area) and have some time off, hope by Nantucket and see us play at the Chanticleer. We will be performing every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 to 11 PM for the summer.
The Chanticleer (http://www.thechanticleer.net/) is a beautiful french restaurant located in the center of Sconset. This place has been here since the early 60’s and a few years ago has been re-opened and renovated. We play for the late and after dinner crowd so please stop by and have a drink and enjoy the live jazz!
Opus 3 wishes you all a safe and memorable summer this 2010.