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! 

Number 66 March 10, 2011

I've had the privilege of seeing some of the greatest performers for many years over their careers.  I've been going to see Ravi Shankar and B.B. King for over 40 years, and Eric Clapton for over 30 years.  B.B. played the Fox in Oakland February 24, and Eric was at the HP Pavillion March 2.  I was struck by the realization that although B.B. is in advanced years, and plays sitting down now, his act has been consistant throughout his career.  There is banter with the audience, a song for thre ladies, a song for the guys, an excellent band with a jazzy back up guitar player, and of course B.B.'s wonderful playing.  It's a style of entertainment that goes back to vaudeville. In the old days, B.B. would put his hands on his hips, wag his fingers at the audience, and mime both sides of a boy/girl argument.  And of course, there is that tone, identifiable with one note.  Just as B.B. acknowledges Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt as influences, B.B. has influenced everyone who has come after him.  Which brings me to Eric. His singing is probably at its most relaxed  now, and without the wonderful Doyle Bramhall and Derek Trucks, who have been with him the last few years, there is more room just to hear Eric's fluid, beautiful playing.  And my, Willie Weeks and Steve Gadd are marvelous.  Gadd has played with everyone from Steely Dan to Jim Hall and all the CTI artists.  With Eric, he is simply the best drummer in the world - simple, and perfect.  I'll get to see Ravi, and Anoushka, in May