Monterey 2009: Latin Side All Stars

Much ink has been applied this year in building up the legend of 1959, as several of the best-loved albums in jazz history collectively reach their golden anniversary. Celebrating two of those great recordings, trombonist Conrad Herwig and his Latin Side All Stars ended the Monterey Jazz Festival’s first night with warm tones and solid rhythm. But although the band’s playing was accomplished and held several memorable moments, the set as a whole came across as a bit too mannered, too respectful, and thus never quite reached its full potential.

First up was a tribute to John Coltrane’s Giant Steps, with special guest Joe Lovano in the lead saxophone spot. Bathed in the orange glow of the Arena stage lights, the band’s horns flared brightly in “Cousin Mary,” weaving through a stern groove. “Giant Steps” itself featured a stripped-down arrangement with a surging orchestral feel. But when Lovano let loose with a torrential, Coltrane-channeling solo, the band made no move to catch up, and Lovano never managed to drop back into sync.

The All Stars fared better with tunes from Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, not least because they went farther in laying claim to the material. “Flamenco Sketches” in particular was completely reinvented, moving from deep Afro-Cuban percussion and a strong vocal turn (both by Pedro Martinez), into a tropical breeze, tinged by melancholy. Guest trumpeter Randy Brecker stole the show with a marvelous, larger-than-life solo, firmly rooted on the ground but slicing the air like a blade.

On “So What,” Brecker again was the standout. His playing here seemed to scoop up clusters of notes like loose marbles, rolling them around before hurling them mightily into the audience. Herwig and tenor saxophonist Craig Handy made strong statements on this number, as they had on “Cousin Mary,” flexing and exclaiming in accord with building rhythmic momentum. It was a highlight of a good, solid performance. But unlike the originals, this was not one for the ages.

Filed Under: MJF/52 - 2009 • Monterey Jazz Festival