|
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | My wife and I just got back from what turned out to be an extremely fun weekend at Newport, RI. It was supposed to be a camping/jazz festival trip, but we had so much at the festival that the only time we spent at the campsite was to sleep in the tent. This was our first time attending the festival. There were so many acts that we saw over the weekend, but I will point out some of the ones that I really enjoyed.
The highs:
- Brubeck Brothers Quartet: these guys performed at the smaller Pavilion Theater and their performance was so awesome that I was completely blown away by them. They ended their set with a performance of “Blue Rondo ala Turk” and halfway though it, their father Dave Brubeck himself appeared on stage, sat on the piano and jammed with them. The performance was so worth a standing ovation!
- Bruce Hornsby, Christian McBride and John DeJohnette: Before hitting the stage, all I knew about Bruce were his material that fall in between rock and pop during his years with The Range, and later as pianist for The Grateful Dead. I never realized that Bruce could play jazz too, and be so good at it. His interpretations of works of the jazz pioneers were noteworthy. Taking inspiration from composer Charles Ives, he created a sound that’s very much his own. I managed to meet him along with his band mates in person, and they turned out be such great guys.
- Dave Brubeck Quartet: I am truly amazed that this legendary jazz figure can still play after all these years, and despite his age. He performed most of his compositions. Played in variable odd meters that he even clapped it on stage as his band mates performed it. He also played a number of his classical-based works, most specifically Chopin, with heartwarming results. His son Danny -- who had a gig with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet two hours ago -- filled in for their drummer who couldn’t make it. He did a wonderful drum solo during their performance of “Take Five.”
- Joshua Redman Trio: I heard of the name, but not quite familiar about his music. He was the very first act I saw upon my entry into the festival, and was quite taken away by the performance. Also a nice guy to meet in person.
- Abdullah Ibrahim: playing solo piano on the smallest stage by the Waterfront. His playing was so great and his music reminded me of the great Thelonius Monk and/or Duke Ellington.
- Marcus Miller: This guy owns that bass! He was just so full of energy that I could listen to him play all day. Unfortunately, the PA kept on screwing up on him with lots of nasty feedback, and all kinds of distortion. Overall, he was awesome.
- Branford Marsalis: This was my first time seeing him on stage as a solo artist, and was very impressed by the performance. Unfortunately, I was not familiar with any of the songs that he performed.
- Paquito D’Rivera: Fusing elements from classical, blues, tango with afro-Cuban rhythms, the performance was very bright, vibrant, and full of energy. ‘Nuff said.
The pleasant surprise:
There are two pleasant surprises for me during the festival. One was a virtual unknown and the other was a replacement.
- Zap Mama: I never heard from this band or artist, but the performance caught me by surprise. Fusing elements of funk, French sensuality, Latin rhythms, electronica and hip-hop, their sound was unique and quite original. This was also the only performance that featured a DJ on stage.
- Susan Tedeschi: filling in for Etta James who couldn’t make it, her addition was quite odd, considering that she’s mainly a blues, and folk-rock artist. Nevertheless, when she hit the stage, the crowd just couldn’t get enough of her.
Overall, what a great weekend! I wished I knew how to post photos here. Nevertheless, I posted some on the gallery. | |
| | |
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Bruce Hornsby, Christian McBride and John DeJohnette: Before hitting the stage, all I knew about Bruce were his material that fall in between rock and pop during his years with The Range, and later as pianist for The Grateful Dead. I never realized that Bruce could play jazz too, and be so good at it. His interpretations of works of the jazz pioneers were noteworthy. Taking inspiration from composer Charles Ives, he created a sound that’s very much his own. I managed to meet him along with his band mates in person, and they turned out be such great guys.
Bruce and I had the same agent back in the late 70's in the Newport News/Hampton VA area...He's from Williamsburg and a really fantastic musician...and a great guy. Haven't seen him in quite a few years now but I keep up with his music...Hometown boy makes good!
Blessings... | |
| | |
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | the brubeck gigs were worth the price of admission alone.
great line up of shows | |
| | |
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| I'm jealous - sounds like a great line-up.
Christian McBride just seems to be the #1 goto guy these days and is a great player - he was on the last George Benson and the last Pat Martino albums and he's recorded and toured with Pat Metheny as well, and that's just the guitar players he's worked with.
I'm guessing the drummer was Jack de Johnette, not John, or maybe like Joshua Redmond he's the son of a famous father. And Branford Marsalis - there's a lot of dynasties in jazz these days. | |
| | |
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Thanks schroeder for the correction. The drummer is Jack De Johnette who played with Bruce Hornsby and Christian McBride. | |
| | |
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I'll bet his license says "John" on it . . . | |
| | |
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by ignimbyte:
Thanks schroeder for the correction. The drummer is Jack De Johnette who played with Bruce Hornsby and Christian McBride. Tangentially related, I saw Bruce Hornsby play his final show with the Dead a long while back. Incredible pianist. | |
| |
|
OT: Jazz Festival in Newport, RI