SuperMoon at the Bitter End

SuperMoon is a supergroup that is unknown to most music fans. Vocalist/keyboardist Jeff Kazee, guitarist Oz Noy, bassist Tony Garnier, and drummer Shawn Pelton have numerous other projects commanding their calendars, so the four musicians can play together only two or three times each year. When the New York area-based musicians can align their schedules, they book a night on a local stage, usually at the Bitter End.

SuperMoon has not followed a familiar rock star path. The quartet has not recorded together, nor made any videos, nor opened any social media accounts. The band's existence is nearly invisible. Yet, for those in the know, SuperMoon's rare appearances are as special as nature's supermoon, when the moon is closest to Earth. Perhaps coincidentally, this year's full supermoon occurred on May 26, one day before the band SuperMoon performed at the Bitter End.

Kazee, known for his work with Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Jon Bon Jovi and Early Elton, sang with cloudy, soulful vocals, similar to the sound of Steve Winwood's voice. Noy, who before for the pandemic has a years-long Monday night residency with his jazz-funk fusion band at the same club, tailored his speedy guitar licks for the occasion, leaning more to rock than jazz. Garnier, who has been Bob Dylan's bassist for approximately 20 years, gave the music its appropriate thump. Pelton, who has played in the Saturday Night Live Band for nearly 30 years, bounced on his drum stool as he laid the beats, looking like he had landed in his happy place.

SuperMoon performed a few original instrumentals, but much of the set was comprised of cover songs that were reinterpreted and extended with jams. The set started with a loose adaption of Thelonius Monk's "Five Spot Blues," followed by a modernized version of  the vintage blues song "Chevrolet," titled "Can I Do It for You" when first recorded in 1930. SuperMoon also covered D'Angelo's "Brown Sugar," the Beatles' "Things We Said Today," and three Jimi Hendrix Experience songs. The musicians also stretched out on two of Noy's original instrumentals, "Come On" and "Boogaloo Fever." The show ended with Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground." None of the songs sounded like the original recordings. This was the band's intention.

The SuperMoon concert was not designed for flash or mass appeal. Unlike revenue-generating studio and tour work, this performances was simply a grouping of four musicians collaborating collaborating on their musical passions. An appreciative fan in front reached up to the stage and left the musicians a tip on her way out; Kazee in turn gave the money to the bartender, again avoiding the rock star path. For both the musicians and the audience, this night was all about the love of music and little else.

SuperMoon, left to right, Oz Noy, Tony Garnier, Shawn Pelton, Jeff Kazee

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's June 2021 calendar.