Regi Wooten & Friends
Rudy’s Jazz Room
Nashville
Feb. 21, 2024
Much to my surprise, the hostess clicked around on her computer trying to see if she could fit us in. I didn’t think reserving tickets for a longstanding weekly show by the same artist would be necessary. “Actually I have just one more table! That couple moved to sit with their friends, so that’s the only reason why,” she said with delight. My curiosity about this sold-out residency was piqued.
As I walked across the room to be sat at what was apparently the last table available at Rudy’s Jazz Room on Wednesday evening, I immediately clocked some first-Tinder-date energy emanating from several tables, offset by a slew of other distinct social dynamics: post-business-conference outings between friendly colleagues, families on vacation, girls’ nights, Belmont jazz students, regular old dates, and the like. With the venue being so close to downtown and a Nashville staple, I expected as much from the crowd. But for the most part, everyone was listening quietly, for the entirety of the two-hour set played by Regi Wooten & Friends.
By the time we were seated, guitarist Regi Wooten, of the renowned Wooten Brothers, had already begun playing. At this point, he stood alone, not so much playing a tune as building sounds. Both sonically and visually, there was a striking ease between him and his guitar. It was sort of folded under his arm and, at least to my untrained eye, appeared as though he was picking almost entirely with his thumb. Whereas most guitarists make a show of constantly checking in with their pedalboard, Wooten’s presentation was so organic that it would be easy to miss if he was using any effects pedals at all, other than their sonic footprint. A warm and bell-like tonal approach, paired with the mastery with which ideas flowed between Wooten and the guitar, was entrancing. It was as if he was sitting at home in his living room. Of course, that’s probably how Rudy’s Jazz Room feels to him, seeing as he’s been playing a show there every Wednesday for over five years.
It’s possible Rudy’s would simulate such a living room experience for anyone. Warm red light, glass lanterns, a low ceiling, and a beautiful old stone basement wall create a quintessential jazz club that feels private and cozy. Although it was my first visit there, it felt familiar — but not trite. Because it was so charming and the staff was so sweet, I could make do with my pretty dismal espresso martini… which I’m pretty sure was just Bailey’s. But maybe skip that one.
After some amount of solo improvisation, Wooten was joined by a saxophonist. Slowly the rest of the players (keys, bass, and drums) took the stage. (Disclaimer: I failed to get any of the rest of the band members’ names, thanks to bad timing and little information online due to the rotating nature of the band). About an hour into the show, the band began to tease the unmistakeable horn lines of “Take the A Train,” which I had been told was their opening number. It occurred to me that everything prior had been introductory material, and while I enjoyed the rest of the show, it’s possible the more rambling and exploratory intro was the best part.
The remainder of the set that followed was dotted with improvised lyrics from Wooten, covers of more modern pop songs that traveled between very heady jams and somewhat of a wedding band approach, charming banter, and playful crowd work. There is many a tourist venue in Nashville where cover bands reside, and it on some nights, Rudy’s Jazz Room might play that game, but Regi Wooten & Friends were doing something else. They were finding an artistic work around, in addition to, I’m sure, just playing music they liked, but the more popular covers they performed went places I’ve never heard those songs go. Then they would snap back to their most recognizable form, as demonstrated in the video above.
My questions about how a weekly residency was selling out were answered. Regi Wooten & Friends gave the sense that you will never see remotely the same show twice. As it was, there were about four different shows wrapped into just one evening already.
