Montclair’s Hidden Gem is the DLV Lounge.
The DLV Lounge has undergone several changes recently, and Montclair residents are encouraged to check out these great updates themselves! The façade of the building received a new paint job, a new front door, a new men’s room floor, a new wall on the stairs leading to the second floor, new lights inside and a brand new Yamaha keyboard to boot, and that is just for starters. The ice machine is now behind the bar and the door to the kitchen is going to be changed to have better access to the kitchen.
DLV Lounge’s performance schedule is becoming busier, with the Michael Reitman and Richard Pierson bands having taken every third and fourth Fridays of the month. The remaining dates most likely will be filled very soon. The Tuesday and Thursday night jam sessions are attracting musicians from as far away as Upstate New York.
The house band on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s consists of Charlie Jones on guitar, Earl Sauls or Matt Raymond on bass and Bruce Tyler on drums.
While I was at the DLV Lounge, I decided to cover the Richard Pierson Trio. The group consisted of Richard Pierson on drums, Jared Gold on organ, Gray Moore on guitar and Bongo Louie on bongos/percussion.
The group at DLV Lounge began the set with a Big John Patton composition, “Solid.” Right off the bat, Jared Gold did not disappoint; he played a nice straight ahead mean organ blues, and he had that John Patton groove down. Guitarist Moore kept a beautiful solid full sound. Gary’s approach was very direct and expansive – not to mention his solo cooked on that tune. Pierson displayed some really nice cymbal work and he didn’t overplay. Each hit on the toms was a musical statement in itself. Bongo Louie’s bongos kept a nice rhythmic undercurrent. You could feel the mambo groove.
The second song of the set was a slightly up-tempo organ blues. Each note of Moore’s guitar work was clear and precise, so clear that you could hear a dime drop between each note. Gold’s organ work was as solid as you can get! The drums and percussion provided a solid rhythmic base, which laid the foundation for intense interplay between the organ and guitar.
The third song of the set was “Polka Dots and Moonbeams.” This song really stood out, featuring some beautiful ballad work by Gary Moore on guitar. Jared Gold and Moore spoke to each other with beautiful musical language that was clearly understood by all who listened.
The fourth song of the set was a funky blues that was reminiscent of the early 80’s and 90’s organ trio sound with Gold’s organ taking command of the song from the start. Gold’s organ work showed through with a dazzling display of flawless technique on the instrument.
They closed the first set at DLV Lounge with “In a Sentimental Mood,” with drummer Richard Pierson leading off with a nice bossa-feel. Bongo Louie kept pace with a nice undertone of rhythmic dance. That interplay between Moore’s guitar and Gold’s organ work was infectious as it can get.
“A while back anyone who I asked about the DLV, nobody knew about the place,” said Moore. “Now, when I talk about the DLV, everybody knows about it.”
“The DLV is a cultural icon or fast becoming one,” said Pierson. “We have people from all walks of life coming here. I feel like I am in Harlem when I’m here. It’s the best feeling in the world to have people come and know what they are listening to. It’s beautiful!”
The DLV Lounge is becoming a cultural icon, and we are going to make sure that it does.
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