Julia Tizzano
Booty Vortex said goodbye to the soon to be closed Johnny D’s bar-restaurant-music venue in Somerville, Massachusetts last Saturday night. In an inspired farewell performance this funk-disco-dance band kept their fans on their feet dancing all night long while playing many of the oldies and funk classics that fans have come to depend on. Throughout, Booty Vortex’s lead vocalist Julia Tizzano Cruz kept reminding everybody present how the venue has supported the band over the years in many ways, like keeping the band in a six to eight week rotation.
Booty began their show with a newer song they’ve just learned called “Southwick,” a tune with a low end so thick you could cut it with a knife. The band’s three man horn section, too, played a thick three part melodic twist and in no time at all Johnny D’s was engulfed in a huge party vibe atmosphere. A tenor saxophone solo was on fire, zig zagging in and around the bulbous groove like nobody’s business.
Stepping onto the stage amidst dazzling keyboard and synthesizer work, singer Cruz glided right into Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love.” Her high pitched silky smooth voice caressed the words as she looked strikingly charismatic on stage, like someone who could be a star. As Booty Vortex does everything big, there were two other vocalists on stage with Cruz last Saturday night. A capable second female vocalist, Eva Davenport, nailed quite a few of her own lead vocal spots and a male vocalist named David Jiles Jr funked up plenty of tunes with his beautiful and soulful delivery.
Jile’s vocal often soared over the fine ensemble work going on behind him. People seemed to hit the dance floor each time he commenced his own lead vocal songs, as if they knew from seeing this band before that he was going to inspire them. His soulful vocalizing often made the songs feel as real as the band’s inescapable grooves and swirling horns. If all of that wasn’t enough, keyboardist Goldfinger shined on many tunes with his exciting, well paced synthesizer melodies.
Mark Coronado,
Cruz called owner Carla DeLellis on stage for Booty’s dedication of “I’m Every Woman.” The lady could only blush, standing up there amidst the ensemble’s swelling horns and in front of a packed dance floor. Booty played her number with a thumpy groove and a breezy horn section that brought the song to three dimensional life as Cruz’s voice honey coated the tune with her own effusion of sweet smoothness. Next up, disco classic “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was a vocal work out, the singers raising their dynamics for the song’s memorable chorus. Speaking of Booty’s vocals, all three singers offered sweet harmonies on “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel,” a tune that also got a breath of fresh air from gingerly played keyboards.
The pretty voiced Davenport hit some high harmonies on “Best Of My Love,” a song that sandwiched a lot of good qualities and ensemble talent. “Shining Star,” dedicated to the recently departed Maurice White from Earth Wind & Fire, was another crowd pleaser, especially with its horn eruption intro. Later on, Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” was another classic disco number Booty Vortex used to keep their audience moving. The horns carried the melody with a vibrant fullness and some snazzy lead guitar work gave it an edge. The band went into Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” with plenty of wistful aplomb and respect for this 1970s R&B classic. Davenport nailed the lead vocal on the Moulin Rouge version of “Lady Marmalade” while uttering its not so subtle plea for late night companionship.
Riffy guitar work brought a fun edge to “Freak Out” while the horns brought their personalities out on stage by showing how much fun they were having. They don’t just stand there with horns in their hands. They translate energy back into the audience. The charming dance pop tune “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk was played with tight ensemble work, keeping the up tempo vocal tightly disciplined. “Brick House,” a staple of dance bands everywhere, got a boost from Jiles’ vocal delivery before Davenport dazzled with “I Will Survive,” nailing down the vocal melody over its chugging groove and bossy horns.
David Jiles Jr., Eva Davenport
It was another exciting night for Booty Vortex and their fans. That it was going to be their final gig at this room put an extra heavy layer of emotion over everything. One could feel it in the air all night. The band and their loyal audience were all feeling the nostalgic longing for the Booty/Johnny D’s shows that have been, over the years, a blessed dance party for all involved. It’s never easy saying goodbye to a great thing, but Booty’s final show in this legendary Boston area venue was a beautiful, loving, and moving tribute to what had happened when the right band and the right venue found each other.
In a brief post-show interview, vocalist Julia Tizzano Cruz discussed how the closing of Johnny D’s will impact her, the music scene, and the community around Davis Square.
Bill Copeland: What was your initial reaction to learning that Johnny D’s was closing?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: I was definitely sad to find out the club was closing. It’s such an iconic place here in Davis Square and has supported live music for so many years. To lose it is a big hit to the local music community at a time when many clubs are closing. But I understand why Carla is doing it, running a restaurant and music club is no easy task. Her family has done it for more than 40 years and done it well. She deserves a break.
Bill Copeland: Does it feel like the ending of something epic?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: It is the end of something epic. When you think of all the acts that have played there over the years, not just local bands, not just rock bands, but national acts and music of all genres. There are very few places where you can see a rock band one night and hear world music the next night and bluegrass the next, then end the week with a disco show. Not many clubs are willing to take those kinds of musical risks, but Johnny D’s did. They have appreciated music of all kinds and brought it directly to the people night after night.
Booty crowd
Bill Copeland: Do you keep having wistful thoughts, flashbacks?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: I keep imagining what it will be like to walk by the club once it’s closed. To see it empty and silent will be a strange feeling. But I’m so grateful for all the amazing music I’ve been able to enjoy at Johnny D’s and I’m especially thankful to have been able to perform in such a legendary venue.
Bill Copeland: What does Johnny D’s mean to you personally?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: Personally, Johnny D’s is like family. We’ve been playing there for so long that we know everyone, the bartenders, the servers, sound engineers, everyone. I’ve been known to go to brunch at Johnny D’s after a Booty gig in my pajamas. When Carla’s mom, Tina passed away, Booty did a special show for her on the first anniversary. When my dad passed away, the club sent flowers and a beautiful card signed by everyone who works there. It’s our family.
Booty Vortex has a long and successful relationship with the club. They took a chance on a crazy disco, funk band back in 2005 when we were just getting started and gave us an opportunity to hone our skills in front of a live audience, and build our audience. We honestly owe a lot of our success to the exposure playing at Johnny D’s gave us. They’ve always treated us fairly and taken good care of us. In fact, we managed to break the club record for biggest one time payout for a band for our New Year’s Eve show this past year. We’ve come a long way with the help of the good people at Johnny D’s.
Bill Copeland: How long have you been playing Johnny D’s?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: Booty’s first gig at Johnny D’s was in 2005 before I joined the band. In fact, that’s how I found out about Booty. I would see the name “Booty Vortex” on the marquis and think to myself, “That sounds like a fun band!” My first gig there with Booty was in July of 2006.
Bill Copeland: Did you build your following there?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: We definitely built our following there. The club was great about working with us and giving a relatively new band an opportunity to play several times a year. It wasn’t long before our attendance increased and we started packing the house.
Bill Copeland: Does any particular memory stand out?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: There are so many memories. A special Booty memory would be our Boston Strong show after the marathon bombings. People were so happy to have something to feel good about and we raised a bunch of money for the One Fund.
Personally, I’ll always remember the time I stopped by the club to bring some Booty posters and there was a trio from the Balkans performing, Trio Balkan Strings. It was a father and his two sons, each playing guitar beautifully together. There was almost no one in the audience, so I stayed to watch and by the end of the night all three were playing one guitar at the same time. Really technical, beautiful guitar playing. I’ve never seen anything like it before or since. That’s the kind of musical breadth you could find at Johnny D’s. It was never just a rock club.
Bill Copeland: How do you think the community in general will be impacted?
Julia Tizzano Cruz: It’s going to be hard to see that place silenced. Johnny D’s is such a vital part of Davis Square and Carla is so active supporting our community, which I know she will continue to do. People will find new clubs to hear music and play music, but they’ll have to do so outside of Davis Square and that’s a loss for our community.
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