August 8, 2021
Concerts on the River, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell, Georgia
Kevin Bales Quartet & Friends
Kevin Bales, piano; Keri Johnsrud, vocals; Billy Thornton, bass; Marlon Patton, drums; Mark Rapp, trumpet; Fareed Mahluli, saxophone
Mark Gresham | 16 AUG 2021
Note: This review is published late due to the author’s illness last week.
Fred McFeely Rogers was the creator, showrunner, and host of the iconic American preschool public television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 to 2001. For a full third of a century, “Mister Rogers,” as he was familiarly known to multiple generations of fans, had a huge impact on public television’s positive role in programming and childhood development, as well as Congressional appropriations for the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).
In addition to appearing as host and puppeteer on the show, Rogers was also a composer of over 200 songs which he wrote and sang for the show. Rogers presented his songs mostly in a simple ballad style on the show. His well-constructed melodies and lyrics were clear and engaging for children and their parents as well. They could often be heard to have sophisticated harmonic progressions underlying simple, yet not simplistic presentation on TV.
Atlanta-based jazz artists Kevin Bales and Keri Johnsrud have long been big fans of Mister Rogers, both growing up and as adults. In 2018, their mutual admiration resulted in a CD honoring Rogers and his music, Beyond the Neighborhood – the Music of Fred Rogers, recording 11 tracks with bassist Billy Thornton and drummer Marlon Patton. Patton also engineered, mixed and mastered the album. Bales created all of the sophisticated, upscale arrangements.
On Sunday, August 8, Bales and Johnsrud brought a sextet of musicians to Chattahoochee Nature Center’s “Concerts on the River” series to play out an eponymous-titled program, including Thornton and Patton, plus saxophonist Fareed Mahluli and trumpeter Mark Rapp, expanding the music’s palette even further for the audience gathered in the CNC’s Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion and on the adjacent open lawn.
Fred Rogers in 1982 (public domain)
Bales and his sextet kicked off the program with four songs straight off the top of the album in order: “It’s You I Like,” “Just for Once,” “I Like to Take My Time” and “Find A Star” – the last being the only one of the songs from the album which is not entirely by Rogers. Josie Carey wrote the lyrics for “Find A Star,” which is from one of the Neighborhood operas, A Star for Kitty (Episode 1565).
After an intermission, the second half of the concert moved away from the repertoire on the CD with “Did You Know?” and “The Truth Will Make Me Free” (1970), a song about expressing feelings honestly which, although not specifically Christian in its lyrics, Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister, was clearly inspired by John 8:32: “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Cover art of the 2018 album inspired by the songs of Mister Rogers
“This Is Just the Day,” which also features words by Josie Carey, came next – a song about living in the moment.
The audience was then invited to take part in a little call and response game, a friendly competition between those in the pavilion and those on the lawn, taking turns at shouting “Hey” in response to Rapp leading by playing tones or brief riffs on his trumpet.
The group turned back to the album for a closing song, “Look and Listen” (track 6) with a little “Happy Birthday” thrown in for someone in the audience.
Johnsrud’s clear and agile voice, Bales’ nimble keyboard work, and their solid ensemble of musical cohorts made it a fun and entertaining evening, somewhat nostalgic for many. Bales’ worthy, adventurous arrangements are a true delight. No doubt Fred Rogers himself would have been quite pleased. ■
The Chattahoochee Nature Center’s “Sundays on the River” concert series continues September 12 with the Joe Alterman Trio. For more information: chattnaturecenter.org
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