On the Scene - Trio 3 and Geri Allen at Jazz Standard

March 10, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: alto saxophone, andrew cyrille, bassist, brain music, exhortations, geri allen, guest pianist, initiation ritual, intimacy, jazz standard, listener, Live Music, november 1, oblivion, Oliver Lake, Places and Spaces, quartet, reggie workman, saxophonist, sketches, stalwarts, youngish couple

Despite the name, Trio 3 - saxophonist/flutist Oliver Lake, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Andrew Cyrille - are anything but redundant. All are stalwarts of improvised music, each a master on their respective instrument. They just finished a run at Jazz Standard with special guest, pianist Geri Allen.
Saturday night, the quartet opened their second set with Oliver Lake's original, "Valley Sketches." Lake commanded the full range of his alto saxophone - from growling exhortations to charismatic high register shouts. Other highlights included Allen's "Thank You, Ma'am," and Reggie Workman's "November 1."

As much I as concentrate on the music, I am equally fascinated with the audience that attends music shows. While there were definitely some fans of the cerebral architecture onstage, this music was an initiation ritual for others. After all, Saturday night is a date night. I watched a youngish couple before the set, eating and drinking, smiling and enjoying each other's company. The blissful oblivion ended minutes after the music began. The further the music went, the farther the couple's intimacy seemed to migrate.

Don't get me wrong. I never blame the musicians. They do what they do. Trio 3 and Geri Allen may not be music to snuggle to, but it definitely feeds the brain. Music for a date night? Not really, unless your companion is an adventurous listener. Finding that special someone is never easy, but always worth the search. Same with the music.
-Josh

© 2008 WBGO

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Eliane Elias at J&R - Something For You

January 29, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: bassist, bill evans, billy hart, drummer, eliane elias, Listening Post, Live Music, marc johnson, music

Eliane Elias and her trio - bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Billy Hart - played the music of Bill Evans at J&R, and we broadcast it live.

If you missed it, you can listen to some selections from the live concert here.
-Josh

PS Some great Bill Evans quotes collected here.

© 2008 WBGO
When You Know - Rhonda Hamilton with Dianne Reeves

January 18, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: bassist, dianne reeves, drummer, emotional depth, final touches, goodnight and good luck, grammys, greg hutchinson, guitarist, Interviews, josh jackson, love songs, minnie ripperton, pianist, rhonda, romero lubambo, s singer, sarah vaughan, spiritual connection, temptations just my imagination, veal

"It's what it is in that moment." That's singer Dianne Reeves' definition of jazz.
Dianne Reeves is on her way home to Colorado today. She has just finished the final touches of her new recording, When You Know.
It comes out April 15th - so pick up a copy when you drop off your taxes.
Dianne has won multiple Grammys - for her live recording, In the Moment. For her tribute to Newark's own Sarah Vaughan, The Calling (Dianne's favorite). For her soundtrack to the film Goodnight and Good Luck. And when it comes to matters of love, there are few singers in jazz with the emotional depth of Dianne Reeves. So it is not surprising that the new record is a cycle of love songs. When You Know ends with the title track, a song about Dianne's spiritual connection. It also includes jazz versions of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination" and Minnie Ripperton's "Loving You," innocent love songs that Dianne remembers as a child.
Can't wait until the record comes out? You're in luck. Dianne and her band (pianist Geoff Keezer, guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist Reginald Veal, and drummer Greg Hutchinson) will debut the music live in concert - when else? - Valentine's Night at The Apollo.

Listen to Rhonda Hamilton's interview with Dianne Reeves.

- Josh Jackson

© 2008 WBGO

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