This past weekend I visited Jazz Minds, a local bar/lounge that plays live jazz, funk, hip hop and soul six nights a week. On this occasion, Los Angeles lyricist and freestyle wizard Mykah 9 performed to a packed audience, backed by local band Tempo Valley. Tempo’s deep grooves resonated from within the walls of the lounge, allowing opener and slam poet Bridget Grae to give her signature speakeasy-style lyrics. Both complimented each other well.
Mykah 9 walked up on stage as the dance floor filled with collective energy. He and Bridget collaborated for some improvisational songs that sounded like they could have been written. The audience looked satisfied one of Hip Hop’s ambassadors was performing off Chinatown’s beaten path.
The crowd was still charged by 1:45am, and only the disconnected felt the need to leave. Mykah’s encore was his Freestyle Fellowship classic and Gil Scott Heron cover song, Park Bench People. It was a very comforting rendition, reminding me of back home in L.A.
This was an all around great performance in an intimate setting that boasted seasoned musicians and a susceptive audience.
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