There is a seemingly inexhaustible supply of top class musicians living and working in New York City. Invariably their cvs are second to none: study at a prestigious music school, teaching at a prestigious music school, recording and touring with some of the biggest names in the business. Tonight's trio live streaming from Small's ticked all of the above boxes.
Mike Clark will forever be associated with Herbie Hancock's excursion into the seventies' jazz/rock/funk scene. Joining the one-time Headhunters' drummer this evening, pianist Jon Davis (Stan Getz, Jaco Pastorius, Phil Woods) and bassist Leon Lee Dorsey (Dizzy, Hamp, Art Blakey).
New York City was bracing itself for significant snowfall. Pianist Jon Davis sat at the Yahama wearing fingerless gloves and a hat, bassist Leon Lee Dorsey kept an overcoat buttoned up and a hat firmly on his head, Clark, wearing two masks, seemed somewhat under-dressed! Perhaps the trio leader was feeling top of the world, earlier in the day he'd just received his second jab!
A set of relaxed, familiar tunes, trio leader Mike Clark leading by example, not interested in being the dominant figure, Davis grabbing most of the solos, Dorsey doing all that was required of him. The three musicians were clearly comfortable in what they were doing, happy to be out gigging again. Clark's switching from sticks to brushes and back again bore the hallmark of a real 'pro'. Small's first house audience appeared to comprise of one solitary fan, perhaps others didn't want to be snowed in on 183 West 10th Street! From ballads, to swingers to Freddie Hubbard's Up Jumped Spring, Clark and co went out swinging. A good set.
Russell
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