Grammy Nominated Bass player Christian de Mesones making moves!
Jazz artist Christian de Mesones: Beautiful stories behind his top-chart songs
By Marivir Montebon
New York – A long-standing invitation by top chart jazz artist Christian de Mesones whisked me to Washington, DC this sweltering month of June. It was an absolute pleasure to hear him and his band play live at last at The Birchmere on June 23, 2024. I was anticipating seeing Ness Powers too, one of Christian’s special guest performers, who I had interviewed online.
Christian de Mesones, second from left, with bassists Bill Dickens and Al Caldwell and flutist Michael “Arch” Thompson (left-most).
Almost a year ago, I was introduced to the top chart songs of De Mesones – You Only Live Twice and Hispanica - by his manager Fritz Germain. The songs were beautiful and perky. That kind of music that pushes you to dance or rush a chore or bring back a memory. I immediately sought an online conversation for my podcast Conversations with MM. As great as his songs is the artist himself – clever, funny, straightforward.
De Mesones, also known as Big New York, easily relates with the ones he is in conversation with, like we did during my September podcast. He established an immediate rapport with his audience at The Birchmere, a band leader indeed. (With De Mesones in the band are: Carl Anderson, drummer; Rob Maletick, saxophonist; Craig Alston, key boardist; Eddie Montalvo, percussionist; Mike Gamble, guitarist; and Archie Thompson, flutist.)
But first of, I must give it to media practitioner Ida Campbell, the best choice for an emcee. She’s a solid stand-up comedienne who cracked me up and made us feel instantly at home and ready for the show. Acknowledging the presence of media people who featured De Mesones way before the show was thoughtful and a natural way of cementing goodwill.
Just before the show, bumped into lovely artist Ness Powers.
The amazing Ida Campbell, the emcee is a stand up comedienne too.