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Last night I got part one of my new years present - two sets of Donald Harrison, Ron Carter, and Boomer at the Blue Note here in NYC. It was the last night of a 4 night stint which saw them perform 8 shows.
This is the third time I have seen them perform together at the Blue Note and it's clear that there is a special chemistry which happens when these 3 musical forces get together.
Alto sax, stand-up bass and drums is not the most common line-up you think of when you go to listen to a jazz trio and it takes a special amount of talent to make the songs sound full and pleasing. those gentlemen have that talent !
Each set lasted almost exactly one hour each . Regretfully a little short on length, but certainly not on quality. I didn't know all the titles, but I will put down those I was sure of.
Set one began with the Miles Davis classic So What . This was followed by a Ron Carter original entitled Cut & Paste . They then carried on with the classic I Can't Get Started. The stage was then turned over to Ron Carter for an extended solo based around You Are My Sunshine - it even contained parts of the Mickey Mouse Theme song in it . The fifth and final song I didn't recognize. Each member was afforded ample time and room to stretch out and solo during the pieces .
Boomer was playing a small kit [ for him ] . 5 piece Yamaha with one large ride , 24" I think, hi-hat and two crashes, all Sabian's . The snare was a 14 X 8" I believe. My brother took some photos and when I get them I will post them so you guys can see the kit. Boomer played with sticks, brushes, his hands, and even his fingertips at times and in a small club like the Blue Note all the nuances of his technique can clearly be heard ! As I was watching him play , I could tell he really had to think about what he was playing and he and Ron complimented each other perfectly.
The second set started at 10:30 . I didn't reconize the opening piece, but it, along with all the other pieces were totally different ones than they played in the first set. The second piece was a blistering version of the Ray Noble penned standard Cherokee . this piece cooked ! this was followed by the blues classic from porgy and Bess , Summertime . Then they played a super version of the Sonny Rollins classic St. Thomas , which is a song I've always loved and Boomer's Carribbean influences really shone on this one. the last piece was another that I could not identify either, but it was beautiful nonetheless !
As I said in the title, this was part 1 of my new years gift. Part two will come on this wed. when I will be attending the opening show for the Spectrum 40 tour at BB King's. this will feature Boomer and Jerry Goodman playing together once again . To say I am looking forward to this would be an understatement. I will let you all know how it goes, and I hope many of you will come out and see the tour which will last the next two weeks !
Thank you Billy once again for another exquisite night of music !
Peace, TED
