Critic-at-Large Gerds likes what he heard from ‘Birth of Cool’

Critic-at-Large Warren Gerds was one of the overflow crowd in Fort Howard Hall of the Weidner Center Wednesday night for Birth of the Cool, a 6:30 Series performance. Audience members packed the place, filling up nearly 50 extra seats while another 75-or-so were accommodated in the Weidner Center Grand Foyer to watch the livestream. All were thrilled with the outcome. This, in part, is what Gerds had to say, “The musicianship it takes to recreate these sounds is of lifetime dedication. So, the performers: Adam Gaines, trumpet; John Salerno, alto saxophone; Steve Johnson, baritone saxophone; Michelle McQuade Dewhirst, horn; Kevin Collins, trombone; Kelly Galarneau, tuba; Christine Salerno, piano; Michael Dewhirst, bass; and Bill Sallak, drums,” and “And then, Wednesday, to hear the stuff from whence he (Miles Davis) came — played live and excellently — was super-cool. Read the full story.