If it's ten o'clock (GMT) it must be time for Small's. Seven nights a week the Greenwich Village venue live streams to the world. Tonight, drummer Joe Farnsworth presented a one hour set of standards in the company of the venerable George Cables, piano, and NYC's first call bassist, Peter Washington.
Joe Farnsworth has worked with some of the best in the business. In fact, on his first two albums as leader he employed the combined talents of Cedar Walton, Eddie Henderson, Harold Mabern, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller and Ron Carter! Here at Small's, the trio opened with There'll Neve Be Another You. Piano trios are ten-a-dime, this one is in the million dollars class.
Johnny Mandel's Emily, Dizzy's Con Alma, Small's small audience showed its appreciation. Farnsworth, then Cables, addressed the gathering, they were having fun, Mr Cables had just received his second vaccine jab, life was good. The trio played the first composition Cables wrote as a young man, appropriately titled Happiness. Cables' subtle, as opposed to ferocious, sense of swing was a delight to listen to. Our pianist made a big impression on Tyneside a few years ago. The Cookers were in town, Cables was in the all-star post-bop outfit.
Bassist Peter Washington has lost count of the number of studio recording sessions he's been part of, suffice to say he got the job with Art Blakey and Tommy Flanagan, not to mention a long tenure with Bill Charlap. Our man stepped forward - metaphorically, physically there isn't room to move in Small's! - on My Foolish Heart, and to close an all-too-short set, Farnsworth and co played Cables' Mr. Baggy Pants. An excellent set.
Russell
Set list: There'll Never Be Another You; Emily; Com Alma; Happiness; My Foolish Heart; Mr Baggy Pants
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