Action Bronson at Katz’s Deli: From Deli to Concert hall
Welcome to Michael’s Misadventures. Stories told by our misguided at heart nightlife reporter, a 70 year veteran of arts and culture of NYC.
On May 14, I was just an observer back stage at Katz’s Deli in the East Village.
With the rush of crews clearing a room like clockwork, I was suddenly thrust back to my days promoting opera back in Canada. The setting this time was not a stage left or right but a New York deli/diner being readied for a wild ass event/concert created and boldly screamed out by the inimitable Action Bronson, a line chef turned iconoclastic bombastic storyteller poet. This event had been sold out for weeks. Much like a live concert, the room inside was being readied. The New York City deli known for its big pastrami sandwiches was swarmed with sound techs and stage crews. Clearing tables to replace with speaker stacks, and turning the deli floor into a stage to host a 10 piece ensemble.
Standing out in their bright blue pullover sweatshirts was the crew from Misguided Spirits, a formidable force known for their support of events like Bronson. Made up of seasoned bartenders and yeomen of life on the touring road, Misguided Spirits is at the top of their game in this whacky-deli-turned-performance venue. You can’t miss them, they are literally everywhere in this buzzing room turning into a pit for music and a little mayhem.
In less that two hours, Katz’s cavernous dining hall became a full on stage for the man--poet and an orchestra pit for 10+ musicians including keyboardists, a guitar section, and even a cello and two female vocalists. This was not a band for a rock performance, but a polished jazz ensemble imported from a classic 1960’s Manhattan night club, straight out of the old Greenwich Village.
After the umpteenth sound check and the first chords rang out a jazz sound both mellow and loud, it was a sound that would not have heralded the arrival of the short strong voice and force that is Action Bronson, but that it did!!
And it worked for the 400 plus standing audience members who all seem to know and sing along the rap-like rants from this short bald powerhouse. He was proud, loud, profane and angry, band in between his sometimes lengthy rants, that jazz style ensemble sort of smoothed out the wrinkles of these uncertain fucked up times.
As I threaded my way through this crowd of mostly 20-30 something year old guys I was struck by a happy satisfaction, them hearing one of their own. A kind of joy as their boy Bronson was sticking it to the man and at the same time vaulting a joyous “happy birthday” moment to a member of the band. This was a special occasion, one that sold out in four minutes when it was first posted on line. I was so out of the norm, carrying a cane, a bald older 70+ man, but the conversations that came at me were welcoming curious and gave reason to hold on to the ray of “hope."
This was not an ordinary musical venture for yours truly but a perfect "misadventure.'
Misguided this adventure was not.
Action Bronson's rants are right on key for these misguided times, but this man rants with a musicians rhythm and a poet’s passion.
A true sight to behold.
Until our next misadventure….
-Michael Howell
A peek into the mayhem below! Photos by Levi Felder
