Saw Euge Groove last night at the Plaza Theatre in Orlando.

The place was about 80% sold out with a mature and friendly crowd. He came out in his jeans, untucked blue tuxedo shirt and black shoes. The drummer and bass player seemed to be the same musicians as when I saw Euge with guitars and saxes a while back. The guitarist seemed to be the same one I saw with the Sax Pack a year ago -- or with some other smooth jazz group. The keyboard player was unknown to me.

He did a lot of his old favorites like Living' Large, slow Jam, and music off Sunday Afternoon. I was sitting within about 10 feet of him, so it was cool to be that close. He got the audience goinng with this dancing and giving away a DVD for the person who shaked their boomba the most. At one point he walked up to people in the front row and did something funny to each, such as honking his saxophone in the middle of a solo at them, etcetera, sitting on people's laps as he played, etcetera.

I thought he had a lot of good humor compared to other acts I've seen between songs.

Overall, it was a solid concert, although I still didn't feel nearly as engaged as I did with Boney James in the same venue a few months back. Boney's hard to trump, it seems. His band was better and I new the names of his songs.

With Euge, I know only some of the spongs, recognize the tunes, but then can't sing them back afterwards like I can with Boney. And in spite of having played his CD's as much as Boney's.

But overall, it was a good solid concert, with Euge taking the prize on his banter and humor between songs. Glad I went....

I go out of my way to see him every year or so. His energy and commitment to his brand of music is sincere and upbeat. Always a really enjoyable show.

Spoke with him several times on one of the Jazz cruises. Very personable, down to earth, family man. Nice fellow.

Best,

Steve C.