November 2, 2011

The weekend before last was another wonderful SF Jazz weekend.  Saturday night at Herbst the duo of Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau played.  Duets are one of the most challenging formats in jazz, and Redman and Mehldau were marvelous.  From 'Trane-like explorations to chamber music to standards, they are both at the forefront of their generation.  And without pretention.  The next night at Herbst the great Jim Hall celebrated his 80th birthday.  While frail and using a cane, his music is as concentrated and wry as ever.  A classicist who also has always been in touch with the forefront of the music, he had Greg Osby on sax, Steve LaSpina on bass, and Clark Terry, who achieved fame with the John Handy Quintet Live at Monterey recording, on drums.  May we all stay so vibrant!