Finally Fridays at the Harvester with Kaleah Wooten and Miranda Powell
11.17.2023 - The November 2023 Finally Fridays series of performances at the Harvester Event Center in Smithville, TN, finished in grand style on Friday, November 17th, with an evening of jazz music presented by two very capable and accomplished vocalists who performed a wide spectrum of jazz, R&B, funk, with some of the standards thrown in, some of which straight-ahead arrangements, and some delightfully re-arranged, with a few original compositions tossed in at appropriate times.
Miranda Powell is a pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, who can belt out vocals in a strong upper register, and suddenly changeover to a Laura Nyro-type soft vocal style, with long, smooth phrases and vocal runs that makes her voice sound like a musical instrument at times. Miranda’s “Summertime” was a tapestry of changing time signatures, with some progressive dissonances, while all the time holding onto the familiar “feeling” of that transcendental song and where it takes you.
And Kaleah Wooten–well, we just love her! She’s appeared numerous times at the Burlap Room and was a perfect fit for the Harvester crowd, who once again impressed with their appreciation of the spectrums of jazz, funk, and good-for-your-soul music that Ms. Wooten is fully capable of creating.
Kaleah and her band of remarkable musicians “ain’t afraid of no groove”, which was evident from the opener “Tell Me Somethin’ Good” through the set that featured each musician at different times during the performance...and yes, every single one of the musicians was VERY well accomplished, and yes, the Harvester audience did the so-hip “applause after an exceptionally hot solo”...which led Bert Driver to ask me at one point, “Where are we, Montreal?”, referring to the refinement of the scene playing out before us.
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt was especially well-received by the Harvestees and was even a bit more soulful than Bonnie’s version, and I’m a big Bonnie Raitt fan…a couple of songs later, Kaleah delivered a classic version of September Song that was another big crowd-pleaser.
The Blue Raider Nation was represented well as MTSU students and their compatriots have called Middle Tennessee home. We are thrilled to host great local talent right down the road from our venue and as vanguard of original music, both female singers pen their own songs as well. Kaleah brought her infectious spirit to the closing number as she dialed up a spiritual that would have had James Brown up on the floor. Thanks to you all for being genuine and passionate about your craft and thanks for coming to Smithville as a destination for all things quality!
Santa Claus even made a premature appearance, much to the delight of the Harvesters, who admittedly had a hard time deciding between whether they were on the “naughty or nice” list. Guess I have to believe now – I saw him with my own eyes, and he looked fairly jolly to me!
As we here at the Harvester enter into this season of Thanksgiving with a happy and grateful spirit– blessed by the fact that we’ve been able to do what we love for another year, blessed that we’re able to be a part of bringing new musical and other exciting cultural events to our hometown here in Smithville, Tennessee. Further blessed to have a competent team of professionals who are dedicated to making the Harvester the unique facility that it is–a place for great entertainment, business, and private parties, and events such as weddings, seminars, reunions, banquets, etc. like no other.
And most blessed because of all of YOU and the wonderful folks we have met who have come out to support our projects, events, experiments throughout the year.
One more big holiday event open to the public is the last show of 2023 on Saturday, 12/2, with The Tiger Beats (a killer blues band direct from Nashville) with opener Anthony Nyugen (formerly of the Smoky Nights). The Harvester will open at 2pm as Downtown Smithville becomes a Norman Rockwell scene with the Smithville Christmas Parade commencing at 4pm, and the parade ends directly in front of The Harvester! So stick around and enjoy live music as The Tiger Beats give a real treat. Stay up-to-date with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester) by signing up for our ‘The Local Vibe’ Newsletter - released every other Tuesday morning straight to your inbox!
Host your next event at the Harvester! Corporate events and parties, weddings, receptions, graduations, baby showers, or whatever you’re celebrating, we can host it! Contact us for more information.
