What live music are you going to see tonight?

[kh1958]

SF Jazz Collective at Annette Strauss Square in Dallas Arts District. A small crowd on a chilly evening at a pretty nice outdoor venue. I liked the original compositions of the group, but the "Plays Michael Jackson" part of the concert did not particularly appeal to me.

Edited April 14, 2016 by kh1958

[BFrank]

Tomorrow: Dee Dee Bridgewater at SFJAZZ.

[ejp626]

16 hours ago, kh1958 said:

SF Jazz Collective at Annette Strauss Square in Dallas Arts District. A small crowd on a chilly evening at a pretty nice outdoor venue. I liked the original compositions of the group, but the "Plays Michael Jackson" part of the concert did not particularly appeal to me.

I was wondering about that and basically was leaning against going.  It also appears that the concert here is in Massey Hall.  While this may be a historical building, it is pretty miserable as a concert venue, particularly in the cheap seats, so I have one more reason to pass.

However, it was worth suffering through the poor seating to see an 80th birthday celebration for Steve Reich.  He actually came out and did "Clapping" with either Bob Becker or Russell Hartenberger.  (Both were part of the concert but they dressed the same and looked quite similar, so I couldn't tell them apart from my seat.)

The other pieces were Tehillim and Music for 18 Musicians.  Reich didn't take part in either of these performances.  Both were quite fascinating in their own way, but I think in honor of Steve, they did an extra long version of Music for 18 Musicians!  (The base running time is 55 minutes.)  That could have been cut 10-15 minutes shorter.  But it's certainly not something you get to see every day...

[BillF]

On 4/14/2016 at 8:50 AM, BillF said:

Kenny Garrett Quintet at Band on the Wall, Manchester

Superb level of instrumental competence, but the music which blended Latin and Coltrane into a sort of easy listening just wasn't going anywhere as far as I was concerned. Went down very well with the audience in a club which presents jazz once in a 100 nights or so and where Craig Charles's disco is top favourite. Garrett had added a percussionist armed with every bit of paraphernalia you could think of who largely functioned as visual crowd entertainer.

[kh1958]

8 hours ago, ejp626 said:

I was wondering about that and basically was leaning against going.  It also appears that the concert here is in Massey Hall.  While this may be a historical building, it is pretty miserable as a concert venue, particularly in the cheap seats, so I have one more reason to pass.

However, it was worth suffering through the poor seating to see an 80th birthday celebration for Steve Reich.  He actually came out and did "Clapping" with either Bob Becker or Russell Hartenberger.  (Both were part of the concert but they dressed the same and looked quite similar, so I couldn't tell them apart from my seat.)

The other pieces were Tehillim and Music for 18 Musicians.  Reich didn't take part in either of these performances.  Both were quite fascinating in their own way, but I think in honor of Steve, they did an extra long version of Music for 18 Musicians!  (The base running time is 55 minutes.)  That could have been cut 10-15 minutes shorter.  But it's certainly not something you get to see every day...

The ratio of Michael Jackson/original compositions is about 50/50. The band was Miguel Zenon, David Sanchez, Robin Eubanks, Sean Jones, Ed Simon, Warren Wolf, and I didn't catch the bassist/drummer's names. The Shelly Carrol concert I saw the night before this actually was superior in every way.

[paul secor]

1 hour ago, kh1958 said:

The ratio of Michael Jackson/original compositions is about 50/50. The band was Miguel Zenon, David Sanchez, Robin Eubanks, Sean Jones, Ed Simon, Warren Wolf, and I didn't catch the bassist/drummer's names. The Shelly Carrol concert I saw the night before this actually was superior in every way.

SF Collective is appearing at Jazz Standard in Manhattan next Tues-Thurs, if anyone there is interested.

[BFrank]

Every year the SFJAZZ Collective's mission is to select a music legend and then woodshed for several weeks. They then re-arrange that artist's compositions for the ensemble and also write new pieces with that artist's influence in mind. When they're ready to go, they tour, record live, and then release a 2 CD album that's split evenly between originals and 'covers'. They've only recently expanded the artists they are honoring from strictly jazz to pop with Stevie Wonder and more recently MJ.

[jazztrain]

Just back from seeing the Bill Charlap trio.  Kenny Washington is always impressive.  

[jcam_44]

Wadada Leo Smith and Vijay Iyer last night. Wonderful way to spend a Saturday night

 

[BillF]

https://youtu.be/llZ7qBN2oG4

Gilad Atzmon/Alan Barnes.

Will be seeing them at Band on the Wall later this year.

[Royal Oak]

4 hours ago, BillF said:

https://youtu.be/llZ7qBN2oG4

Gilad Atzmon/Alan Barnes.

Will be seeing them at Band on the Wall later this year.

I just had a look at the BOTW listings - there isn't much jazz is there?  The Cookers look interesting I must say.

[BillF]

2 hours ago, rdavenport said:

I just had a look at the BOTW listings - there isn't much jazz is there?  The Cookers look interesting I must say.

Very little jazz. Their typical fare is Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club.  But over the months and years the big names do build up: Pharoah Sanders, Pat Martino, Eric Alexander, Dave Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi, Kenny Garrett - they've all appeared at BotW fairly recently.

I saw The Cookers at Gateshead last year and they were a gas!

[Utevsky]

Wednesday night at the Substation in Seattle:

Rik Wright's Fundamental Forces -- Wright, guitar; James Dejoie, tenor, baritone sax; Geoff Harper, bass; Greg Campbell, drums.

Samantha Boshnack Quintet -- Boshnack, trumpet; Beth Fleenor, clarinets; Alex Chadsey, keyboards; Isaac Castillo, bass; Max Wood, drums.

•  

[kh1958]

This past weekend, I attended the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

And the groups I saw! Steely Dan, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers! It was amazing!

Well, no, actually I didn't see (or care to see) any such groups. Jazziest is like two festivals--a popular music festival conducted on large stages with masses of people crowded together in a field. Then there is the other festival--in smaller seated venues, presenting a diversity of music from the world and Louisiana. The only thing in common is the great food for all available on the fairgrounds.

On Friday, I began in Economy Hall, with Chris Clifton and His All Stars. The band was decent, but I didn't make it to the end of the set of pure Louis Armstrong imitation.

Next, to the Jazz Tent, for trumpeter Ayo Takazawa, with Jason Marsalis on drums. A couple of guests also appeared, including Wes Warmdaddy Anderson on alto. The set was pretty good, reaching its peak with a version Freddie Hubbard's Mr. Clean featuring the leader and her cohort on alto sax (also a Japanese female) trading short solos for the duration which built to a pretty high level of intensity.

Next, Jason Marsalis on drums leading a quintet presenting mostly new material from a new CD, The 21st Century Trad Band. This was a fine set, featuring lots of clarinet (trumpet/sax or clarinet frontline).

After a break, continuing in the Jazz Tent, Geri Allen presents a group playing material from Errol Garner's Concert By the Sea. This is an unusual two piano group, the second piano being manned by Christian Sands. Also with Russell Malone on guitar, plus bass and Victor Lewis on drums. The full group and various subdivisions played a really nice set. The second pianist was quite good, and could play in the style of Mr. Garner.

Ending the first day in the Jazz Tent, Christian Scott appeared with his "Stretch Music" and band of young musicians (two saxophonists, guitar, bass guitar, two drummers, keyboards, all of whom Mr. Scott raved about at length). The volume of the group was extremely loud and the initial sound mix not so good (corrected as the set progressed), which almost drove me away. Instead, I simply moved further back in the venue, and was glad that I did. Scott is a very impressive trumpeter, and the original music played by his band quite interesting.

On Saturday, beginning once again in Economy Hall, with Louis Ford and His New Orleans Flairs. This time, luck was with me--this band was terrific, with Ford on soprano sax and clarinet, and Jamil Sharif on trumpet. And they performed two compositions by Sidney Bechet. Good stuff.

Next, I can barely contain my excitement, heading to the Belize Pavilion. The smallest venue in the festival was this year featuring music from Belize. Most importantly, this included the great band, The Garifuna Collective. The Garifuna people are a unique people in Central America, a blending of Native peoples and Africans who settled there after two slave ships were wrecked off the coast of Belize. Their music sounds more like West African music than Latin Music. The Garifuna Collective on this occasion consisted of two guitarists (the lead guitarist is an amazing and subtle player), bass guitar, three percussionists, and four vocalists. Their set is astounding--great songs with wonderful melodies and powerful rhythms. Simply great.

Next, to the Jazz Tent, where Victor Goines (on clarinet, soprano and tenor saxophones) is leading a quartet. This set is also a fine one. And he plays Petite Fleur on clarinet--to hear two different groups playing Sidney Bechet's music on the same day, now that is a treat.

Next, I stayed put in the Jazz Tent to maintain my excellent seat (anticipating Jack Dejohnette) for vocalist Leah Chase. Not really my cup of tea, she was fine, though, and had a quite excellent New Orleans alto player (I didn't catch his name) in her backing quartet, so the set proved to be of some merit.

Ending the day for me in the Jazz Tent was Dejohnette Coltrane Garrison. I hadn't seen Jack Dejohnette since the the late 1980s, so it was a thrill to see him again. The trio was quite good, especially Mat Garrison on bass guitar/electronics. The highlight was the closing and epic version of The Two Jimmys (dedicated to Jimmy Garrison and Jimi Hendrix).

The foregoing is a lot of music, but the last day of the First Weekend was rather astounding. All five groups I saw put on peak performances. 

So I started the day again taking advantage of the opportunity to hear The Garifuna Collective perform another (longer) set. The result was the same as the prior day--incredibly intense and exciting music.

Next, to nearby Economy Hall for a set by Leroy Jones & New Orleans' Finest. In researching the groups appearing at the festival, I had read various testimonials to the effect that Leroy Jones was the finest unknown trumpeter in New Orleans. And in fact he proved to be a quite wonderful trumpet player. Another excellent experience in Economy Hall. And the  contrast of well done traditional jazz was a perfect bridge after the intensity of The Garifuna Collective.

Now, moving to the Jazz Tent for the duration of the day. First off, the Herlin Riley Quintet. I really like his drumming, recalling seeing him with Ahmad Jamal and Wynton Marsalis back in the 1980s (in fact, he was the best thing about Wynton's group, as I recall). His group was absolutely smoking--he had brought down alto and soprano saxophonist Godwin Louis and trumpeter Bruce Harris from New York, along with Emmett Cohen on piano. Riley was just as great a drummer as I recalled. A really hot set.

The next set is the big event, and the Jazz Tent becomes filled with a very large crowd. The reason, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter are appearing next. I am not sure what to expect, as I was not that enamored of their recording, 1 plus 1. It was okay, but seemed to lack something. This concert does not suffer from that affliction. Herbie Hancock performs on a Fazioli grand piano and this time, also incorporates his electronic keyboard setup. Wayne Shorter is seated throughout the concert and plays only soprano sax. The first part of the concert is the type of acoustic piano/soprano interactive improvisation I was expecting--very nice. After awhile, Herbie switches to his keyboard setup and ups the volume, and Wayne's playing becomes very aggressive--it's the old Wayne, not the diffident Wayne--the piece is incredible and long and provokes a mid-concert standing ovation. The rest of the concert, Herbie alternates between acoustic and electric keyboards, sometimes incorporating both. The concert ends with All Blues, including Wayne playing some Charlie Parker quotes. The concert was amazing and felt like an historic event.

After that, something different is required to close the day. And Terence Blanchard's E Collective was up to the task. Terence's chops were in very excellent shape this day. The group is high volume fusion, with a really strong bottom on the bass guitar player and drummer. This was another great set, ending with the anthemic Cosmic Warrior, bringing the day to an end with a suitable peak of intensity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 27, 2016 by kh1958

[BillF]

Jason Rebello (solo piano) at Malcolm Frazer's house in Cheadle last Sunday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O3f04eW-sU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3bqSJvAykI

[jlhoots]

Fred Hersch Trio

[A Lark Ascending]

Michael Chapman (guitar vocals), B.J. Cole (pedal steel guitar), Sarah Smout (cello) at The Greystones, Sheffield

He certainly has lived up to the title of his most successful early-70s album, 'Fully Qualified Survivor' (mid-70s now but still touring widely). One of that marvellous group of demon acoustic guitarists from Britain that lit up the 60s and early 70s. Most have sadly passed on - only Wizz Jones, as far as I can think, is still regularly active (expect to hear him again at Sidmouth this year). Excellent concert of peculiar songs (only one or two familiar), wonderful instrumental colour from his partners and, of course, utterly distinctive guitar playing. Quite a nostalgia trip - I didn't know his music in the 70s but the sound was part of that era in everything from (less rocky bits of) folk-rock to (the sensitive bits in) Led Zeppelin.  

Sarah Smout did a short set of songs accompanying herself on cello, Don't recall seeing that before. Must be a bugger to spend 15 years learning the cello only to discover you want to be Joni Mitchell.  

Edited April 28, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[duaneiac]

Tonight, Abdullah Ibrahim presented at SFJazz -- "the pianist in a solo setting that reveals the depths of his genius, as well as one of the maestro’s newest and most stimulating ensembles – his Japanese-inspired Mukashi trio featuring a lineup of Ibrahim’s piano, winds and cello. With a name translating from Japanese as “once upon a time,” the group is designed to tell stories, and as their new self-titled Sunnyside album demonstrates, no one tells a tale through music like Abdullah Ibrahim."

MUKASHI TRIO
Abdullah Ibrahim piano
Cleave Guyton Jr. alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, piccolo
Noah Jackson bass, cello

And then on Sunday, Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya

Abdullah Ibrahim piano
Cleave Guyton Jr. alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, piccolo
Bobby LaVell tenor saxophone
Alex Harding baritone saxophone
Andrae Murchison trombone, trumpet
Noah Jackson bass, cello
Will Terrill drums

[jeffcrom]

Going to hear a set of solo tuba with electronic processing, by my buddy and bandmate Bill Pritchard.

[sidewinder]

I'll be checking out the Smalls live video feed.

Gets my vote ahead of the Cheltenham Fest !

[duaneiac]

MUKASHI TRIO
Abdullah Ibrahim piano
Cleave Guyton Jr. alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, piccolo
Noah Jackson bass, cello

So this was a unique and rewarding show.  The music was very intimate with many sections written out and at times sounding more like classical music.  Given the instrumentation, the music was quite beautiful and at times delicate and ethereal, but never wispy -- Abdullah Ibrahim's music is always grounded.

The program began with Mr. Ibrahim playing solo piano for about 15-20 minutes.  It was one continuous performance with one theme segueing into the next and that is kind of how the rest of the concert would go once the other musicians joined him.  Mr. Guyton played flute and piccolo in the first set and added clarinet into the program in the second set.  He was very good and I was impressed by his ability to play passionate music on the piccolo.

The music tended to flow from one piece to the next.  From what I could tell, Mr. Jackson played without music and would tell from the vamping by the pianist whether he had to switch from bass to cello or vice versa.  Much of the music was new to me as I have not heard the CD recorded by this group, but there were also reworkings of some old familiar Abdullah Ibrahim compositions.  The show concluded with a lovely version of "Water From An Ancient Well".

Abdullah Ibrahim is 81 now, but he certainly gave no indication that he is ready to take it easy.  This concert had two roughly one hour sets plus an encore and while his piano playing was not the primary focus of the show after that opening number, he still was very involved in the proceedings even when he laid out. 

I wish there had been a larger audience.  I was up in the balcony, but from what I could see, it seemed like the place was maybe 65-70% full and some left at the intermission.  Maybe there will be a better crowd for tonight's performance.

 

[A Lark Ascending]

Tim Berne's Snakeoil (@ Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham)

Tim Berne alto sax
Oscar Noriega woodwinds
Ryan Ferreira guitar
Matt Mitchell piano
Ches Smith drums

Exciting concert. Hard to get my head round to start. Berne seems to write knotty, mathematical themes that then cycle - clear structures but I wasn't connecting. Then mid concert a wonderful passage of improvising for the two reeds got me and I was there until the end. Absolutely stunning Berne solo in the final piece.

Alex Hawkins had Birmingham students dotted round the hall just before the start playing an lextended chord and subtly colouring it. Nice feel - like the opening to a grand piece.

The Printmakers (venue as above)

Nikki Iles piano
Norma Winstone vocals
Mike Walker guitar
Mark Lockheart sax
Steve Watts bass
James Maddren drums

Supergroup in my world. Lived up to the high expectations generated by what was my favourite jazz record of last year. Norma's records tend to be quite pastel - all those qualities in this group but a real fire and tremendous use of instrumental colour. Helped by going nowhere near the usual standards - tunes by Ralph Towner, John Taylor, Joni Mitchell and group members, often with Norma's words. But lots of solo room too. Special mention for Mike Walker who was outstanding - Britain's best kept secret.

Impressed by the venue - never been there before. Modern theatre with good acoustics and sight lines.

Edited May 2, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[duaneiac]

On 4/15/2016 at 10:20 AM, BFrank said:

Every year the SFJAZZ Collective's mission is to select a music legend and then woodshed for several weeks. They then re-arrange that artist's compositions for the ensemble and also write new pieces with that artist's influence in mind. When they're ready to go, they tour, record live, and then release a 2 CD album that's split evenly between originals and 'covers'. They've only recently expanded the artists they are honoring from strictly jazz to pop with Stevie Wonder and more recently MJ.

One would think they would finally do the right thing and dedicate next season to the music of one of the group's founding members, Bobby Hutcherson, while he is still among us.  Instead, how much ya wanna bet next year's honored composer will be Prince?

I saw one of the group's shows in SF this year in which they played music associated with Michael Jackson.  I enjoyed it more than I expected.  I see they have the CD out of this music and I will eventually get it.  I thought a couple of the originals by group members were pretty good and they are included on the 2 CD set.

[A Lark Ascending]

Thomas Stronen drums
Anders Jormin double bass
Tore Brunborg sax

(@ Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham)

Originally planned as a concert for the group Meadow with John Taylor, the other members decided to perform a memorial (empty piano on stage). Very ECM. Superb musicianship - but I found it hard to warm to. Skimpy themes that failed to stick; above all, wasn't at all keen on the tenor which seemed to slowly sculpt lines without any real personality. Music came alive when the drums and bass were on their own. Bass in particular superb. Would have been better, to my ears, as a duo concert.

Mulatu Astatke vibraphone, wurlitzer and percussion
James Arben saxophone, bass clarinet, flute 
Byron Wallen trumpet (not tonight - not sure who played)
Danny Keane cello
Alexander Hawkins piano and keyboard
John Edwards double bass
Richard Olatunde Baker percussion
Tom Skinner drums

(@ Jazz Stage at Cheltenham Jazz Festival)

Thrilling concert. A band of Brits accompany an Ethiopian legend in music as exciting as any Afro-Cuban band.  Included that tune that became a Radio 4 hit around the time of the Ethiopiques compilation. Superb soloing by all concerned - don't think I've ever heard John Edwards play tonal, groove based music before but when he came to solo he was as off the wall as ever. Crowd went wild.

Edited May 2, 2016 by A Lark Ascending

[kh1958]

On Sunday, I arose early to take the short (65 minutes) flight to New Orleans to attend the final day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Unlike the first weekend which I attended, with perfect weather, the second weekend was marred by thunderstorms, with Saturday's deluge resulting in an early closing of the festival. On Sunday, I arrived just as rain was beginning, making it to the Jazz Tent just in time. A fierce storm ensued, which eventually settled down to just hard rain for the rest of the day. So I settled into the Jazz Tent for the duration.

First, a vocalist--Nyo Jones. Okay. With thunder and lightning and sheets of driving rain effects.

Next, The Trumpet Mafia. A fifteen piece band, with ten (!) trumpet players and a five piece rhythm section, plus Nicholas Payton as guest soloist. An excellent group--I really enjoyed their loud and  raucous set. Nicholas Payton's playing was the most exciting I've ever heard from him.

Followed by Ellis Marsalis. His very mainstream playing I've always found a bit dull; today was no exception, but his group (especially the trumpet player, one of the members of the Trumpet Mafia as well as the Jason Marsalis group, and the tenor/soprano saxophonist) was fine, as were Marsalis' original compositions. A decent set.

Now, getting serious, with The Mashup (Ike Stubblefield on organ, Terrence Higgins on drums, and Grant Green Jr. on guitar). An outstanding soul jazz group, this was one terrific set. This is and sounds like a working group, and I really enjoyed the organ player, as well as Grant Green Jr. I did not realize Grant Green's son was such a fine player. An exciting set I feel fortunate to have witnessed.

Finally, Heads of State (Gary Bartz, Al Foster, Larry Willis, and David Williams) bring the day to an appropriate climax. Gary Bartz attired in an elegant silver suit matching his long silvery hair, performed an intense and inspired set. Larry Willis, I used to see fairly often at the Caravan of Dreams, and it was great to see him again. He sounded wonderful. The whole group did, actually.

The final group in the Jazz Tent for the day was Chris Botti, so I was out of there. As I was exiting, B.B. King's band was playing at the Gentilly Stage, and they actually were sounding good; I would have stayed but for not wanting to stand in a muddy field in the rain.

Now I have to wait a whole year for the next festival. Supposedly they are working on bringing 150 Cuban musicians to the festival next year. I can't wait.