The doors opened at the Hard Rock’s Hall of Fame on the evening of Sunday 13 January to welcome the amazing American Jazz & Blues duo of Tuck & Patti.
The Amicus Foundation of Thailand, close friends of Tuck & Patti, had suggested to Women With a Mission (WWM) just a few short weeks ago that the duo were prepared to come down to Pattaya and give a benefit concert. Undaunted by the short notice, WWM swung into action, wrote articles, printed and plastered posters all over town, emailed everyone they knew, did radio and TV interviews, twisted arms, got sponsorship, and partnered with the Hard Rock to put together a memorable evening. Probably the best music of its genre ever heard on the Eastern Seaboard.
More than 120 people came to the Hard Rock auditorium. Many of them had heard little about Tuck & Patti previously except for their fame among hard-core aficionados of American jazz and a group of the locally based musicians. Many had been won over checking them out on YouTube. Some had read about the accolades they have received over the years. Many came just to support WWM, knowing that they always put on a good show, and were keen to see any class act coming to town. This show was a rarity and they did not go away disappointed.
Bronwyn Carey talks to PMTV about the Women With a Mission projects.
Amicus and Tuck & Patti are also friends of Dr Mechai who had provided them with accommodation at his well-known Birds & Bees Resort in exchange for them giving a music tutorial to the Mechai Pattana School Ukulele Band currently on a year’s exchange from Buriram. There is an old adage among performers that you should never share the stage with children and animals – you will always be upstaged. The MPS students came close, performing during the pre-show dinner, usually the death-zone for most artists, but these children were received in hushed silence and ended receiving a standing ovation.
Tuck amazes the audience with his virtuoso guitar playing, while Patti’s velvet voice flows through the Hard Rock Hall of Fame.
Only a world-class act could top this, and Tuck & Patti delivered the goods on the night. Patti only had to open her mouth. Her velvet voice, likened to that of Ella Fitzgerald, flowed through the Hall of Fame. When she spoke, it sounded like song. When she kicked off her shoes and stood barefoot on the stage, she gave us a stunning rendition of High Heel Blues without accompaniment. She was talking to us through song.
The Tuck and Patti duo sing their soulful rendition.
And then there was Tuck. The audience was in awe of his guitar skills and virtuosity. A flawless display of some of the greatest jazz guitar playing. Tuck extracted sounds and harmonics from his guitar that left the experienced musicians in the audience gasping and cheering for more. And when they combined it was sheer bliss.
For much of the night Tuck & Patti were joined by our local Matthew Kelly (Kingfish & Grateful Dead) who backed them with his famous wonderful soulful harmonica playing. For one song, Matthew strapped on his old electric guitar and revisited one of the old Grateful Dead’s classics that had been re-arranged by Tuck.
Mathew Kelly got the audience tapping their toes with his performance on the harmonica.
For WWM it was a lot of hard work over a short space of time, but well worth it. They delivered a wonderful evening of the greatest music, in the best music auditorium in town, great food, free-flowing wine and beer at an affordable non-Bangkok price. Their thanks go out to the sponsors, Legacy of Legends, Hard Rock Hotel, Mechai Pattana School, Paul Strachan who donated his time as compere, Pattaya Mail, Amicus Foundation of Thailand for giving them the opportunity, the generosity of Tuck & Patti, our local Karma Sound Studios for the sound technicians, and most importantly to all the friends out there who are tireless supporters of our local Women With a Mission.
The Women with a Mission: (from left) Kylie Grimmer, Rosanne Diamente, and Bronwyn Carey.
Tuck and Patti give an exclusive interview to PMTV.
Students from Mechai Pattana School give rousing ukulele performance.
Mechai Pattana students accompany the ukulele with Hawaiian dance.
Guests at Hard Rock enjoy a sumptuous buffet prior to the concert.
