Les Paul isn’t merely a musician. He is a sound. He is an inventor. He is a brand—the very best in electric guitars. He is, to use a cliché, a legend in his own time. And at 92 years old, he is still performing, selling out two shows every Monday night at the Iridium and earning cheers from fans in their teens to their nineties.

The adulation is certainly deserved: Paul has been inventing new ways to create sound for generations, and has passed on his expertise and experience to anyone willing to listen. Supported by his Trio (Lou Pallo on guitar, Nicki Parrott on bass, and John Collianni on piano), Paul shares the Iridium stage with jazz stars and young up-and-comers alike. With his signature musical style and bawdy wit, Paul turns his concerts into old-fashioned jam sessions, making the audience feel not just privileged to see a legend perform live, but welcome.

At a recent show, Paul brought two saxophonists to perform with his trio. Young Rebecca Buxton's sax seemed to be as big as she is, and Paul Jeffries, a highly regarded musician in his own right, brought a simultaneously sweet and sorrowful sound to the music. Buxton’s rendition of “Sophisticated Lady” was particularly bright and exciting. The Trio also gets their own moments to shine: Ms. Parrott sang and accompanied herself on the bass for a white-hot “Makin’ Whoopie,” working the strings in a decidedly sensual manner. (Somewhere, Michelle Pfeiffer wept in envy.) Mr. Collianni performed several solos of his own, making a lovely medley of "Black and Blue," "The Maple Leaf Rag" and "As Time Goes By."

As per tradition, Paul ended the evening with a buoyant and bright “Sweet Georgia Brown” that nicely captured the energy of the series. Mondays at the Iridium are about fun as much as music, and few people know how to combine the two quite like Les Paul.

Jena Tesse Fox
Cabaret Scenes
February 11, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org