I saw them Friday the 18th
This was their first performance of this tour.
In Herbie's own words, "you are gettin it fresh off the griddle"
The performance was at the Britt festival in Jacksonville Oregon, an outdoor venue.
Shorter seemed uncomfortable with both his tenor and soprano all night
as he constantly adjusted them. As they moved into a second composition, one called either “cut and paste or V” (Herbie was unsure and jesting Wayne about his markups) they started to gel. Shorter found his voice, still swapping horns throughout this and the next composition. The next was absolutely fantastic. Blade started the piece playing something, (I could not see what he was doing) but it had the sound of water running over falls, Herbie played the inside of his piano with his knuckles and then plucked with his fingers, Holland broke in with a fine groove and they were off. Hancock and Holland were great, Blade was fantastic, and when Shorter got going, he still had that originality that is mention in the “Kelly Great” thread. The only composition I recognized was the encore of Watermelon Man, a great version. I am sure as this tour continues they will find their synergy from the get go. Do not miss this show if you get a chance.
p.s.
just the quartet