Stryker's (quick) review of This is the Place

[Dr. Rat]

MARK STRYKER'S JAZZ HIGHLIGHTS: Trio Organissimo set to lay down greasy grooves at Baker's

BY MARK STRYKER

FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

August 12, 2005

The Lansing-based organ trio Organissimo has been spreading its wings of late, performing more and more frequently in metro Detroit, and that's good news for anyone who loves the life-of-the-party vibe emanating from a kick-butt Hammond organist surrounded by simpatico mates. The trio returns to Baker's Keyboard Lounge this weekend for the second time since May, and this time, the band has a new CD to plug.

"This is the Place" (Big O Records) is a gas. Organist Jim Alfredson, guitarist Joe Gloss and drummer Randy Marsh have a gift for classic soul-jazz language and a special fondness for greasy boogaloo grooves. The trio knows how to stomp the blues, bring a Latin twist to a standard ballad, turn up the heat for a rip-snorting romp in 6/8 or get down-and-dirty inside a funky-swamp beat.

Alfredson handles the organ duties with panache, guitarist Gloss' solos and accompaniment mesh wonderfully and drummer Marsh lays down a red carpet of boogie with veteran authority. There's nothing too complicated about Organissimo's approach: It's music that reminds of saxophonist Johnny Griffin's aphorism that jazz is music for people who have decided to feel good in spite of conditions. It's a shame that the organizers of the annual Detroit International Jazz Festival have yet to get hip to Organissimo, but perhaps this showcase gig will fuel the grassroots buzz. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Baker's Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois. 313-345-6300. No cover.

Organissimo represents the backend of an especially engaging weekend at Baker's. The bandstand tonight is given over to Urban Transport, a hard-bop quintet band that takes wing on the swinging foundation of drummer Sean Dobbins and features heady flights of fancy by alto saxophonist Dean Moore and trombonist Vincent Chandler. The band has a thick book of originals, and they play like they mean it. 9:30 p.m. Friday.

A longtime treasure of the Cincinnati jazz scene, pianist Phil DeGreg is a versatile modernist who plays with the sort of supple authority that raises the eyebrows of his fellow musicians. He turned heads in Ann Arbor the last time he played here, and look for the same thing to happen again. He leads a trio including our own stalwart bassist Paul Keller. 9 p.m. Friday. Firefly Club, 207 S. Ashley, Ann Arbor. $10. 734-665-9090.

The River Raisin Jazz Festival in downtown Monroe brings to town some of the biggest names in the instrumental pop world. Saturday headliners include guitarist Earl Klugh at 5 p.m. and flutist Alexander Zonjic at 7 p.m. Sunday culminates with guitarist Larry Carlton & the Sapphire Blue Band at 7 p.m. Music begins at 1 p.m. both days. Admission is free. St. Mary's Park, downtown Monroe. 800-252-301.

Contact MARK STRYKER at 313-222-6459 or stryker@freepress.com.

Edited August 12, 2005 by Dr. Rat