This past Saturday I had a great time co-hosting the Broken City Jam session with Rubim De Toledo on Bass and Jon McCaslin on drums. The session was good, we really started to stretch and the guests were a lot of fun to listen to. I love the trio/without chords format. I first head Steve Grossman in this context on Way out East (and then figured out it was an homage to Sonny Rollins "Way out West") and was always struck by just how clear the harmonic progression was without a chordal instrument. I think this is one of the best challenges for a musician. It's all about Clarity!!!
Some of my favourite "trio" records are:
Joe Henderson State of the Tenor vol. 1+2 (Christmas gift from my brother)
Steve Grossman Way Out East (Sam the Record Man Toronto)
Sonny Rollins Way out West (from Gordon Towell) and A Night at the Village Vanguard (from Ralf Buschmeyer)
Elvin Jones Live at the Lighthouse 1+2 (two tenors)
This past Friday my brother and I reunited the Brenan Brothers for a really fun show. We paid homage to two great J.J. Johnson Albums: Stan Getz and J.J. Johnson live at the opera house and the very difficult to find J.J. Johnson Quintergy. I first heard Quintergy when it came out, a good friend Rod Murray lent it to me, and I loved the modern arrangements over familiar tunes. At the Opera house came later, while I was living in New Zealand-and of course it's a classical all jazz fans are aware of. I love both records and have listened to them dozens of times, it was great to finally play the music. I also really liked how the gig was a straight ahead blowing gig. Very little counting, no odd meter sections or overly difficult ensemble sections.....just a lot of fun. Chris Andrew (piano), Rubim De Toledo (bass) and Jon McCaslin (drums) played great!!!!
I hope you enjoy this live clip of J.J.'s band playing Quintergy!!!!
I am happy to announce that my new album is now widely available online! I had a great time recording this disc and I think it's my best effort to date! CLICK HERE for CD baby
or HERE for Itunes
On an unrelated note, Ralph Bowen visited us for a few days last week, and as usual He. Played. GREAT!! he just keeps getting better and better. I am truly inspired. It was also great to hang with so many of his graduates - we definitely have all been hugely inspired by him in unique ways. I think that's is a true testament to his exceptional abilities as a teacher as well as a performer.
