Mondays in Miami are not typically nights for Jazz. But things can change quickly when you have two area Jazzy heavyweights in tagteam musical formation ready to Rumba.

This was the case last Monday (4-12-2010) at the almost standing-room-only Van Dyke Café in Miami Beach. No doubt, the audience was treated to a scrumptious night of musical fireworks by songstress extraordinaire Yvonne Brown and saxophone great Jesse Jones Jr.

Yvonne’s vocal talent is nothing less than amazing! The audience was noticeably moved to inspiration by every inflection of sound she produced. With authentic precision and effortless intensity, Brown is a master performer of the American Jazz songbook.

Like sugar and salt, her voice is sweet and powerful; full of emotional nuances reminiscent of some of the foremost greats of Jazz, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn, Nina Simon, Etta Jones, with a tinge of Billie Holiday.

As seen and enjoyed countless times at Jazz venues in Miami and South Florida, Jesse Jones Jr. can potentially become a one-man musical wrecking crew on any given night.

With or without a band, with or without a saxophone in hand, Jones Jr becomes “Mr. Entertainment.” And on this night, Jesse was being himself; his saxophone was on fire and the audience loved it.

On this night, Jesse’s presence on stage radiated with a particular sense that enveloped the essence of Jazz. Not only displaying amazing technical prowess on the saxophone, Jesse expressed a soulful quality that shined like a morning sun rising to inspire and invigorate everything around him.

With an intensive musical bag of Jazzy tricks, Jesse plays the sax; Jesse sings the blues; Jesse scats; Jesse produces unusual sounds from his saxophone and flute; Jesse gets the audience to sing; Jesse strolls throughout the venue; Jesse inspires you to dance the Mambo. And if you’re sitting close to the stage, Jesse may even have something to say about your food.

From Coltrane to Gato Barbieri, Jesse’s repertoire is a plethora of Jazz styles that includes traditional Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Bossa Nova, Latin Jazz, ballads. And if you ask, he may throw in a Latin Rumba Tango for desert.

The band included the great Jazz pianist Dolph Castellano and drummer Joel DeRuggiero. Both gentlemen generously contributed to the Jazz tapestry with great solos, as well as adding essential nuances and authenticity which helped accentuate the overall musical energy that emanated from the stage.

While it might have been another cool and breezy Monday night in Miami, Yvonne, Jesse, Dolph and Joel made it a memorable evening that may go down as another one of those best kept secrets.