Jordan Alfonso (alto); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums).
A tribute to Charlie Parker - four fine musicians putting their own take on Bird's music - made for an enjoyable 75 minutes.
No surprises in the repertoire, how could there be? The music is well known to most jazz fans although, spotting Jordan's tenor lying in waiting I thought maybe Half Nelson, one of the few numbers Parker recorded on the larger horn, may have been on the menu. It remained untouched.
Yardbird Suite got things rolling along laying down the benchmark for a set that just seemed to get better and better as the players began to gel after their long layoff. Confirmation, Night in Tunisia and then Parker's Mood. Alan Law had been doing his job perfectly up to this point but here he improved upon perfection (if that is possible!) and played as sensitive a solo as anything I've heard from him. Not to be out done Jordan also peaked.
Paul Grainger had already put in a half shift down at the coast with the Vieux Carré Hot4 during the afternoon so it was no surprise when Jordan referred to him as "The ubiquitous Paul Grainger". Perhaps he'd pickled his fingers in brine as he showed no ill effects from his earlier stint.
Rob Walker came to the fore in Blues For Alice with a tasteful drum solo and Jordan wailed like as though he was blowing in a Kansas City late night joint. And this was the one thing that was missing - the crowd, the ambiance of an audience whooping and hollering, clapping, ordering drinks, enjoying themselves. Well, many of us were doing just that at home but the band, they don't know that!
Anthropology stomped off, not too fast, just fast enough for it to make sense. My Little Suede Shoes, with its infectious melody and Latin groove, is one of those tunes that stick in your mind - I'll be still humming it this time next week even though the number that followed - Donna Lee - was my overall favourite. Everyone hit their stride and it wasn't over yet!
Now's The Time had that honour.
Bravo Jordan, Alan, Paul and Rob and, of course, the Jazz Coop for their initiative in remembering one of jazz's greatest icons.
I want to hear this band again live live so I can share my enthusiasm with others there and then but, who knows where or when?
Lance
1 comment :
Thanks for the kind words! The tenor was indeed intended for Half Nelson but time got the better of us unfortunately. Parker didn't play tenor very much aside from a few recordings with Miles Davis!
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