Everybody and their dog seemed to be playing at the EP release party for local jazz/blues jam band , Jimmy Mac, Dec. 11 at the Slice. The band, (Incura keyboardist Jim McLaren, guitarists Paul Holden and Daryll Düus, bassist Jason Schultchen, drummer Anthony Pittarelli and percussionist Brad Brouwer) have just released ‘Live At The Slice October 3rd, 2010’ — four tracks, 31 minute
s of hypnotic grooves, keyboards and sizzling guitar.
The Cd is also an excellent litmus test for the Slice’s new recording equipment, which works really well, as you can hear every note of organ, tasteful lead, percussion, bass groove and drum beat.
A variety of combinations of musicians took the stage to play to an almost full house throughout the night. And you can’t go wrong when you have some of Lethbridge’s most talented and versatile musicians together on one stage, so a good time was virtually assured.
I arrived in time to see Daryll Düus belt out a set of sizzling blues, backed by Jason Schultchen on bass and Anthony Pittarelli on drums plus Incura’s Jim McLaren on keyboards, playing fleet-fingered, upbeat organ and piano lines.
While the faces may have changed on stage, it was basically Pittarelli’s show as he took turns on keyboards and even guitar for a couple songs as well as drums.
They switched lineups slightly for the next set with Paul Kype taking over lead guitar and vocals, Brad Brouwer on percussion and bongos and Paul Holden on bass for another set of upbeat blues including an excellent version of ‘One Way Out’ and the Rolling Stones’ ‘Miss 
You,’ which featured Incura lead singer and New West Theatre veteran, Kyle Gruninger.
In fact, most of the Jimmy Mac Band has some history with New West, so it was interesting to see them all together on stage.
For something completely different, Gruninger and singer/songwriter Jason Poulsen played a more laid back set of folk and pop music as a duo, which the audience seemed to enjoy.
Gruninger took centre stage after that to sing a variety of hits beginning with Michael Jackson’s ‘Billy Jean,’ which had the crowd up and dancing and cheering, an excellent version of the Beatles ‘Come Together,’ a hypnotic version of Pink Floyd’s ‘Us and Them,’ and Queen’s ‘I Want to Break Free.’
Gruninger displayed an astounding voice as per usual, hitting almost operatic notes, playing to the audience and singing hits like a seasoned pro.
