KSTV: Deschanel Gordon Trio - Feb. 10

Deschanel Gordon (piano); Will Sach (bass); Will Cleasby (drums).

(Screenshot by Ken Drew).

I sometimes wonder about the injustice of the jazz world. Live streams from Ronnie's often top the four figure mark and yet Smitty's rarely hits three figures on the night. This is unfortunate as KS, operating Tuesday to Saturday, invariably presents jazz of the highest quality and I would have thought that some of those who log on to Ronnie's on a Monday might go to Smitty's on a Tuesday or a Wednesday but ...

Tonight, like last night, was another delightful session. Two 'comers' on the jazz piano scene - Stoneman last night - and Gordon tonight provided ample proof of jazz's ability to survive against all odds.

I was unfamiliar with Bud Powell's Celia until Stoneman played it last night so it came as a surprise when Gordon played it tonight - coincidence?

It was one of the best numbers last night and one of the best numbers tonight. Who won? Let's call it a score draw!

We also heard, Roy Hargrove's Top of my Head, Golson's Whisper Not, Mulgrew Miller's Grew's Tune which segued into an amazing I Hear a Rhapsody. The tension built up to an orgasmic climax maintained by Cleasby's drums that left us on an ultra high.

I'm Confessin'  brought us down to earth as Gordon went into one of his trademark party pieces - a mix of Fats, Garner, Monk, Chico Marx and maybe Charlie Kunz all rolled into one. It was great the first two or three times I heard it but, to my ears, the joke's getting a little thin.

Still, the unannounced finale, which may have been an original, more than made up for it and the trio went out swinging.

Nice one ...

Lance