Toshiko Akiyoshi & Lew Tabackin at Yoshi’s
Toshiko Akiyoshi celebrates her “idiosyncracies” while Lew Tabackin dazzles in an exhilirating set at Yoshi’s San Francisco.
Archive for September, 2009
Monterey 2009: Parting Thoughts
The 52nd annual Monterey Jazz Festival has come to a successful conclusion. Once again, the festival organizers have brought together fantastic music and a warm community atmosphere for an experience that will be remembered for years to come.
Sep 21, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post
Monterey 2009: Jason Moran – “Feedback”
The Monterey Jazz Festival’s annual commission for new original work often yields something unexpected and memorable. But perhaps never has there been a festival commision as unusual as “Feedback.”
Sep 20, 2009 | 10 comments | View Post
Monterey 2009: Buffalo Collision
The Monterey Jazz Festival took an abrupt turn into the avant-garde when Buffalo Collision, a unique combination of two advanced strains of freeform jazz, took the Garden Stage for the space between Sunday’s afternoon and evening programs.
Sep 20, 2009 | 3 comments | View Post
Monterey 2009: Alfredo Rodriguez Trio
From the start of his stunning late afternoon set at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Garden Stage, Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez made it clear that his was music for serious listening.
Sep 20, 2009 | 5 comments | View Post
Monterey 2009: Terrence Brewer Trio
Bay Area guitarist Terrence Brewer brought good vibes to the crowded Coffee House Gallery, filling the room with warmth, verve and soul as he paid tribute to the legacy of guitar icon Wes Montgomery.
Sep 20, 2009 | 3 comments | View Post
Monterey 2009: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
It is traditional to end a big event with a fireworks display, and there were plenty of pyrotechnics on hand as Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra closed out the Saturday Arena show at the 52nd annual Monterey Jazz Festival.
Monterey 2009: Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet
It was a Northern California homecoming for Ambrose Akinmusire, as the vanguard trumpeter brought a powerhouse quintet to the Monterey Jazz Festival’s “Night Club” room.
Sep 19, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post
Monterey 2009: Erskine/Pasqua Trio
In the dark, tightly packed confines of MJF’s “Coffee House Gallery” venue, the trio of drummer Peter Erskine, pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles gave a fine demonstration of the axiom that sometimes less is more.
Sep 19, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post
Monterey 2009: Ruthie Foster
Ruthie Foster got right to the point in her exceptional mid-afternoon set on the MJF’s Garden Stage. “I like to mix my blues with my gospel!” she shouted, and mix them she did.
Monterey 2009: John Scofield & Piety Street
Guitarist John Scofield got deep-fried and sanctified as his Piety Street Band presented an infectious, New Orleans bred blend of gospel, blues and soul.
Monterey 2009: Latin Side All Stars
Conrad Herwig and his Latin Side All Stars paid tribute to John Coltrane and Miles Davis with warm tones and solid rhythm. But they were perhaps a bit too respectful.
