Charles Tolliver Big Band

[bertrand]

Rooster,

I talk to David Weiss periodically (he's helping Charles put everything together). Believe me, they're trying their best to record and get more gigs.

Bertrand.

[keys]

Charles Tolliver Big Band Feb 17-20,and Cecil Taylor with Orchestra Humane on the same dates,preceeded by CT's Trio on Feb 16 is shaping up to be an interesting week,looks like at least three nights out for me.

[jodigrind]

Caught the second set last night. The nice size crowd included, among others, Terrance Blanchard and Randy Brecker.

Tolliver's arrangements sounded just like they did from his Strata East Music, Inc. albums (in fact, they played one song from Impact--I can check later to verify the name). The band sounded strong, if a little sloppy at times (understandable as Tolliver's arrangements are pretty demanding). I imagine they will sound much tighter by the end of the Jazz Standard run on Saturday night.

Tolliver himself showed pretty strong chops, conducting the band in front of the sax section and turning toward the audience for his solos (unmiked). I love his sound and attack, and it was a real treat to see him live.

Other highlights included Billy Harper (the man!) soloing with a great deal of ferocity, special guest John Hicks at the piano (sounding great--Tolliver recounted how they first met in California in the '60's with Gerald Wilson's band), Cecil McBee seriously anchoring the band, and the amazing Ralph Peterson on drums (absolutely stole the show on a couple numbers).

I loved the show--anyone in town should check it out!

[relyles]

I really wanted to try to get into NYC to see them Saturday night, but my wife spent the money I planned to use on tickets to see Dave Chapelle that same night. One of these days I need to start communicating with her a little better. I would have much preferred to see Tolliver.

[Hardbopjazz]

Charles can swing. Over the past summer I went to see Clark Terry. Charles was in the audience wathcing the show. Clark Terry saw him and asked him to come on to the stage. He did, and smoked. I am thinking of seeing his big band this weekend or the Heath Brothers.

[ajf67]

Thanks for posting this. I was wondering how this was. I had a tough choice. I was in in NYC for the jazz auction and chose to see Cecil Taylor instead of Tolliver. It was simply a matter of my having never seen Taylor and my wondering how many chances I would have left to do so. Awesome experience with a 16-piece band. Weird audience. Lots of tourists who didn't know what they were in for! The older couple next to me before the show said "We understand he's really a legend." Irridium didn't seem like the right place for him. One idiot yelled "Play some music!" toward the end of the show and was ushered out. But once I closed my eyes the music was just an overwhelming force that drifted, coalesced, broke apart, surged -- almost like a living organism. His own playing was simply amazing.

I definitely want to catch Tolliver next time though.

[Bluerein]

I saw 3 shows last year and needless to say it was great. Victor Lewis was on drums and as a drummer myself I was impressed to say the least. Sure hope they do some recording. PS was James Spaulding still on the alto chair (with Gary Bartz last year)? He surely was one the high points for me those shows.

[marcello]

I saw this band last night and heard just about the same set except there was a very fast Round Midnight, and there was very little trumpet playing from Tolliver.

The stand-outs for me were Bill Saxon ( I haven't heard him in a long time ), the trumpeter,

the young Keyon Harrold and Ralph Peterson.

Peterson was great, in his bombastic way; and I am one that finds is small group "dynamics" bothersom. He nailed every cue in every ensemble in this very percussive music and was as LOUD as he could be. Really the perfect drummer for this emsemble. I think he found his calling, here.

Unless he joins a drum and bugle corps.

Edited August 7, 2005 by marcello