Jones Jones

[Steve Reynolds]

Mark Dresser - bass

Larry Ochs - tenor and sopranino saxophones

Vladimir Tarasov - drums

After a fine, long set of compositions by Trio M, for which I was very grateful to witness, the reason I was at The Stone on a Wednesday night during the busiest part of my work (end of month), was the appearance of the above trio. No sheet music for this trio. It took a bit to get started and Ochs simply started in to his very oblique and anti-traditional, yet traditional approach to free jazz tenor saxophone. First piece about 16-18 minutes - and the three pieces that followed would be slightly less in length. Second piece was the only one where Ochs played the small horn and he was mind numbingly stupendous creating that elusive and almost unrelenting tension.

Seeing Dresser up close (both sets - but especially in this context) is an awe inspiring experience when one refuses to take it for granted and become jaded to experiencing one of best 3-4 bassists in the world. The grunting, the power of the sound and then the bow.

The bow - precise yet wholly unpredictable and extreme, yet - well I stop here - impossible to comprehend unless you experience it.

And Tarasov is the type of drummer and musician who is like no one else. I could hear him play with little cymbal on the tom drum on his right for the whole 50 minutes and it would have been enought. The crashes and the playing on the third piece were just gravy.

Not sure they could play better than they did last night.

It should be accepted as it is with more well known and reknowned musicians (not that Dresser isn't known in some circles), but these three guys play on the level they is uncommon even among masters.

Kind of an inside energy power sax-bass-drum trio with only portions of high volume - yet no passages that were not captivating. The last notes by Ochs were never played before by him or anyone else - I'm convinced - plus I never heard anyone play lines like him - bit those last few riffs/notes - wow

And when Dresser finally used the pedal with the Bow towards the end, I knew everything in my world is way way more than alright.

Blessed to be there

And YES - Giants Walk This Earth

[Leeway]

Thanks for the account Steve. I'm glad, but not surprised, at how well it came off. When I went to the Ochs residency last year, I was blown away by his artistry. Too bad not many people joined the audience at that time. Ochs, outside of ROVA I suppose, is still vastly under-rated or under-appreciated. Focused on Ochs here, but it's a treat to hear Tarasov and Dresser also; major players. Anyway, glad to hear it was a great show. Folks should check out the Jones Jones disc if they can't make it to a show.