On a languid Sunday evening last week, a noticeable number of jazz enthusiasts gathered to hear the Vietnam-based Curtis King Band which was performing on the second day of the two-day jazz concert held at Hotel Grand Ashok.

The Curtis King Band likes to describe itself as a ``funky, bluesy, good-time, travelling rock 'n' roll band with an East-meets-West sound.’’ The band has performed in many countries in Asia. The band has played with the international band Deep Purple and has been featured on the BBC and MTV.

The programme started much after the stipulated time but the restless crowd soon settled down as the band began playing from a vast repertoire that included classics from different genres, characterised by quirky cadences and driving rhythms. It was an assorted presentation of rock 'n' roll, jazz, swing, soul, blues, funk, disco and even a bit of hip hop.

Curtis King started off with rock `n’ roll from Led Zeppelin and Gloria from Van Morrison. With his soulful vocals, and cool harmonica riffs and audience conducting skills, he established a rapport and set the tempo for the evening.  Kristen Rasmussen, the female lead singer had the audience in raptures as she sang in her dark and distinctive voice numbers such as Call it Stormy Monday, I feel good… and swaying elegantly had the house grooving. 

However, it was Le Roy Johnes, the lead male singer who created a furore with a maelstrom of in-your-face numbers from jazzy blues to rock and roll. Wearing a pink wig, he gave a sensuous and insinuating recital of Bob Dylan’s `Knock, knock on the heaven’s door’ with suggestive gestures and had the spirited crowd boogying.    

The vocalists were ably accompanied by Titanic Thao on drums and Duc and Hammer on guitar. Together, they displayed ensemble cohesiveness rather than individual instrumental prowess. The event was organised by Black Dog.