This was quite an occasion, indeed a unique one, not to
mention a historic one!
A Great Day in Harlem we've seen the photo, read about the
background to it in books and magazines (anyone got a copy of the 1959 Esquire
magazine the photo first appeared in?), there have been tv programmes and
recordings and now a live tribute to Art Kane and the guys and girls (all 3 of
them) that he herded together on that amazing morning on 126th St., NYC.
The concept was well thought out. The photo projected onto a screen behind the band with the images changing according to the iconic figure being acknowledged. Each band member would say a few words about the artists i.e. Dizzy, Basie, Mary Lou, Rollins, Blakey, Hawkins, Lester, Jo Jones, Monk etc. before paying their own tribute on a number associated with their chosen legend.
There were so many great solos, each one a fitting tribute to the originator, that singling out one as being above the rest is unfair but, at the risk of upsetting the other 17, I reckon that Dave Kerridge aced it on Body and Soul. It bore little resemblance to Coleman Hawkins' original version but, if Hawk had been alive today, nor would his!
A Great Day in Harlem and an even Greater Night in Gosforth!
Lance
PS: Special mention of the backstage team who coordinated the visual images.
-----
Michael Lamb (MD), Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (trumpets); John Flood, Kieran Parnaby, Chris Kurgi-Smith Mark Ferris (trombones); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Jamie Toms, Dave Kerridge, Laurie Rangecroft (reeds); Graham Don (piano); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); Guy Swinton (drums); Alice Grace (vocals).
1 comment :
Great review of what was a fabulous evening.
Post a comment