Last week I went to the local art museum for what was advertised as "An Evening of West Coast Jazz". which described as follows:
"The work of acclaimed Los Angeles-based artist Janna Ireland, currently on view at SBMA and MCASB, includes her photographic interpretation of the architecture of Paul R. Williams, the renowned 20th-century Black architect who designed many of Southern California’s iconic buildings. A gifted designer across genres, Williams transformed the face of Los Angeles, including the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge, the Ambassador Hotel’s Coconut Grove, and the cool jazz corridors of Central Avenue.
In a nod to those favored night spots and the music of the jazz greats, Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas, and Ted Nash perform against a backdrop of images of Williams’ mid-century Los Angeles world and photographs from Ireland’s Regarding Paul R. Williams."
I wasn't that familiar with the musicians (I had Ted Nash confused with his uncle) but it took place in a small theater/lecture hall with very good sound and I'm interested in both West Coast Jazz and West Coast architecture.
When we entered there was one architectural photo projected on the stage's back wall. The trio appeared and began playing Jimmy Giuffre's "The Train and the River". Made sense as they were a trio of sax, bass and guitar and Giuffre was a mainstay of West Coast Jazz. I was relieved that the photos weren't being changed during the music and was trying to guess what they'd play next; Gerry Mulligan maybe.
Well the same photo never changed and Ted Nash announced that they were going to play something by the great unknown composer: Herbie Nichols. They then played 3 Nichols numbers introducing each with a bit more about Nichol's biography.
They followed that with Carla Bley's "Lawns". (They also suggested that she was fairly unknown.), then ended the concert with a very nice piece by Jim Hall. Apparently the trio albums dedicated to each of them.
I guess the West Coast might claim Carla Bley in that she was with Paul at the Hillcrest when they met Ornette Coleman, and that Jim Hall did spend time here and recorded for Pacific Jazz but Herbie Nichols?
However, despite the bait and switch (maybe because of it) this was a great concert. And I especially liked that it was presented with no amplification except for the amp of the guitar.