Yolanda Bush brings Chicago blues to Pine Hill
By Robert Brune
Yolanda Bush and the Cool Water Collective brought an evening of blues and jazz to the Pine Hill Community Center Saturday, Sept. 19. Originally from Chicago and now based in Upstate New York, Bush delivered a particularly soulful interpretation of George Gershwin’s “Summertime,” while her cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy” brought audience members out of their seats. Bush also introduced the 1955 jazz and blues standard “Alright, Okay, You Win,” noting Joe Williams’ well-known rendition before the swinging number sent dancers to both sides and the dimly lit back of the room.
Backed by Dan Sales on bass, Amar Sastry on guitar, Joe Damone on drums and Tim Iverson on keyboard and Hammond B3 organ, Bush and the Cool Water Collective traded spotlight moments throughout the evening, creating the atmosphere of an old Chicago blues club transported into the northern Catskills.
For those who missed Saturday’s performance, guitarist Stew Cutler and his band return from another national tour for an evening of jazz and blues at Union Grove Distillery this Friday at 7 p.m. Arriving early also provides an opportunity to grab dinner from Embers Pizza before they sell out.
