Jonathan Butler is a man of character and he showed us that at the Dakota last week when he opened the evening, not with his own work, but with a tribute to another legendary jazz musician. Promptly at 6:30, Butler walked out onto stage along with his band and immediately played a number echoing David Sanborn’s “Maputo.” Sanborn died earlier this year in May.
From Butler’s recently released album came his second song on Thursday evening, “Ubuntu,” which is the name of the album as well. “Ubuntu means compassion,” he told us although he probably didn’t need to do too much educating as the crowd of more than 180 people for the first show included a lot of fans right from his home country of South Africa.
“I am because we are,” he proclaimed as he strummed his acoustic guitar, a guitar worn down with age so that the veneer was rubbed away in places.
The crowd luxuriated in the rich, syncopated sound. It really doesn’t get much better than this, I thought, so polished and complex.
The band comprised of a drummer, Ron Otis from Detroit; a bass guitar, Darryl Williams; his spouse, Nadira Scruggs-Butler, on violin; Canadian vocalist, Honey Larochelle; and a first-time-playing-with-the band keyboardist, Erskine Hawkins, all buzzed right along with Butler like a beehive in urgent productivity.
Butler wore a black t-shirt, black flared pants truncated at his shin, a belted black tunic, and a white jacket with embroidered sleeves. His sneakers were embellished with burgundy glitter. Their third offering, “Bon Appétit,” was another one from his latest album.
Between songs, Butler warmly told us what was on his mind, talked about growing up, life in South Africa during Apartheid and after when Nelson Mandela became president. “My heart is always in South Africa,” he said. “Roots are getting so much deeper, stronger, and wider.
In reference to his next song, he said, “I can’t help but take you on a journey of my country. They launched into “Coming Home” followed by “Silver Rain” and “If I Ever Lose this Heaven.”
Erskine Hawkins, the newbie keyboard player, though definitely not new to Jonathan Butler’s style of music, was reading sheet music electronically as he switched from keys to organ and back again. He kept up when Butler challenged him to a bit of a musical duel.
Butler acknowledged, “I have a great band. If I screw up,” he cautioned us, “just listen to the band.”
Butler’s music covered a lot of ground including some holy ground. He’s not shy to reveal his personal faith beliefs and quoted Scripture before he included a song laced with a Christian theme.
In the second half of the set, Butler played “an extremely old song from the 1980s,” he chuckled. “I was so skinny,” he recalled and said now he eats what he wants and doesn’t worry about it. The audience responded with indulgent or maybe guilty laughter. We felt like we were listening to a long-time friend with the intimate banter.
He rounded out his set with “Take Good Care of Me,” Sarah Sarah,” “Lies,” “Please Stay,” “7th Avenue,” and “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You).”
His second show, the Dakota said, anticipated filling 140 seats. Totaling patrons with the staff and crew at the restaurant, over 400 people could say it was a very good night on August 15. We all could walk out into the night air with music still lingering on our minds.
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About Susan Budig
Susan is based in Minneapolis and reports on general assignments for Mshale with a focus on entertainment. In addition to reporting, she is also a writer, poet, teacher and coach.
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