Sold Out Crowd at Blues Alley

3/12/2009

With blue notes opening up the band (‘Red Clay’) and the first song, ‘Her Escape,’ the band clearly had the traditionalists happy.

By the fourth song, however, the band quickly turned south of Mason Dixon line with their country hit ‘Life’s Mystery.’ Washington DC elite Erwin Gomez said “I think Kim did a fantastic job. It just blows me away that she wrote all the songs.”

The packed floor included well-renown DC Stylist, Jacob Broadsheet, who raved that the show was “very energetic, lively. Kim interacted really well with the crowd,” and wine enthusiast, Bassum Al Kahouaji, who agreed that “It was great. All my friends who came had a great time. Her presence, the songs, the band, the atmosphere: it was all wonderful.”

By the middle of the show, the crowd had heard a bit of jazz, blues, rock and even a dance tune. The highlight of the night included Kim’s double vision of ‘Stories’ her latest, unreleased, song, in which she started off with a slow, traditional jazz feel, facing the audience with true emotion. While the song concluded, drummer Andy Hamburger picked up the pace with a face moving, action packed dance rhythm that had the entire audience wishing they could stand up amongst the jam-packed room of onlookers.

Crescendo Jazz reporter Kim Betton, along with her staff photographer, also showed up for the first show, seemly pleased with Kim’s performance and the Side FX originals. Web Survey expert Larry Kilbourne, who brought some of the Wounded Warriors entourage, said, “I’ve been to Blues Alley many times, and it’s always very impressive when you see a new performer who can pack an audience in.”

Chris Nikpora played effortlessly along major and minor scales as he eased his way down the set list adding his classical Middle Eastern flavor to the composition. Kimberly Gregory and Cathy Lowell, the backup vocalists, kept perfect pitch. Bassist Matt Berry raved that “My first time at Blues Alley was a big deal for me. It was an awesome experience being where some of the biggest names in jazz have played. I'll never forget it. It was definitely a great success for Kim and the band.”

The crowd also included people from far off places like Avery Denison’s Director of Finance Sarah Poteet from Los Angeles, toy maker and CEO, Cheryl Cunningham of Twice as Cunning of Hollywood, Florida, and Brian Abrahart, of ExxonMobil UK, to name a few. The crowd was a virtual who’s who from the Washington Information technology arena, with Kent Warren, VP of SAP; John Wilcox, VP of Business Objects; John Gall, VP of Finance Agitex; and Charles LaRoy, the Director of SAIC.

Even the IT community seemed to dial into the band’s flair. Edward Albers, CEO of New River Systems, said “We enjoyed seeing Kim Cameron and the Side FX Band at Blue Alley. This venue was the perfect setting to enjoy great music and time with friends.”

Shawn Pierson, DC’s leading commercial architect, also was sure to mention how much he “enjoyed the show.”

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