Joe Lovano Qt

[take5]

The Joe Lovano Qt is performing the Iridium (New York) this weekend.

The band is Hank Jones, Paul Motian, and George Mraz

I've actually never heard Joe Lovano, but read about him a bit and he seems interesting. I'm mostly going because I love Hank Jones, am a bit familiar with the other two (Mraz from his participation in a couple of recent Hank Jones records).

I'll also be accompanied by a charming young lady Saturday evening, with whom this will be our first evening alone together. I hope the music isn't too "out there" or boring for her.

Also is anyone wants to recommend a great restaurant there so I that I can make reservations for two tomorrow...

I can't wait to see Hank Jones... err, I mean, the Joe Lovano Qt.

[MartyJazz]

There's a good review of the group by Ben Ratliff of the NY Times. Sounds like the group performs a variety of ballads and variations based on standard tunes. So it shouldn't sound "out" to your lady friend. At one month shy of his 86th birthday, I doubt Hank would delving into the avant garde at this stage of his career.

Anyway the review can be found (free subscription to the Times online is required) here.

Edited June 10, 2004 by MartyJazz

[EKE BBB]

I haven´t ever seen him live, but from what I´ve heard on record, I rate him as one of the nowadays tenor sax true giants.

[take5]

Thanks for the link. Interesting to hear what they do with Monk's Mood and Countdown.

[take5]

Well, the show was pretty cool.

Hank Jones is just so the man. I was wondering if he still has "it," and he brought it in spades! (if that makes any sense) His first solo started a bit uncertainly, and then instantly it gelled and he was on the rest of the night. Man, can that dude swing it! I love how logical and lyrical his solos are, and how naturally they flow with his comping. He got the best reactions from the audience, but one of my favorite moments that the crowd missed was a bit of Monk-style chording during his brief solo on Monk's Mood.

Lovano was alright- started off with crappy tone that he later corrected. His first couple of solos were a little too spastic for my tastes (and his jerky physical movements are disingenuous), but he got better and better as the set went on and left on an upswing, which is the way to do it. His playing on the last few tunes was pretty cool.

George Mranz is an exemplary soloist and a remarkably clean sounding player. Paul Motian was, well, Paul Motian- making his own unique space around the beat, doing some interesting brush work, and had a couple of breaks with no solos.

Still, it was Hank that stole the show.

Fortunately, my lady friend enjoyed the set as well.