SF Jazz Collective-- Costa Mesa, CA

Elliot · March-28th-2006, 08:32 PM

The SF Jazz Collective, now in its third season, paid a rare visit to Southern California last weekend and played at the Orange County Performing Arts Center's small stage. I saw the first of their 4 sets, and wished I could have heard them all.

The band currently consists of Joshua Redman (tenor & soprano, and MD); Nicholas Payton (trumpet); Miguel Zenon (alto); Andre Hayward (trombone); Bobby Hutcherson (vibes & marimba); Renee Rosnes (piano); Matt Penman (bass); and Eric Harland (drums).

Each season, the band commissions 8 new arrangements (by Gil Goldstein) of the works of a single composer (the first season, it was works of Ornette Coleman; the second, John Coltrane), plus 8 new tunes (1 by each of the members of the group), inspired in some way by the works of that season's featured composer.

This season's composer is Herbie Hancock. The band opened with a medium tempo, bluesy rendition of "And What If I Don't." Fortunately, the 8 musicians do not all solo on each tune, letting the arrangements speak for themselves. This tune featured solos by Hayward, Penman and Hutcherson. Hutcherson, the elder statesman of the group, really shone on this tune (and every tune he soloed on.)

Next up was "Riot," with a kick-ass solo by Payton, and short solos from Rosnes and Penman. (Rosnes was the sole disappointment of the set; none of her solos amounted to much, IMHO. But I guess holding down the piano chair when the group is playing Hancock music is not an enviable task for anyone.)

The next four tunes were originals-- Hutcherson's "Imminent Treasures," a slow, modal-style tune with beautiful solos by Hutcherson, Zenon (double-timed) and Redman (on soprano); a tune by Payton (I didn't catch the name) with quirky, stop-and-start rhythms; Penman's ballad "Frosted Evils" (Redman's tenor solo on this was one of the highlights of the set); and Eric Harland's "Trident," with an unusually musical drum solo and more great work from Hutcherson. Each of the originals sounded like they could have come from a mid-sixties Blue Note record (and I mean that as praise)-- Payton chanelling Freddie Hubbard, Zenon inspired by Jackie McLean, and Bobby Hutcherson sounding like Bobby Hutcherson (whoda thunk?).

The encore was "Tell Me a Bedtime Story," with a powerful solo by Redman (this time on soprano). (I would love to know the other Hancock tunes they are doing this season.)

This is a terrific band, with great soloists and far more creativity than the usual "jazz repertory" ensemble. I am hoping they make the OC a regular stop on their travels.

JazzAt52ndStreet · March-29th-2006, 09:55 PM

Cool! I'll check them out I'm dissapointed a didn't see them last year when Brian Blade was playing with them.
You'r opnions of Rosnes seem to be shared pretty universally.

Peterdubya · March-30th-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzAt52ndStreet

Your opnions of Rosnes seem to be shared pretty universally.

No they're not.

Renee is an amazing player with great ideas and great chops.

I have seen her many times in many settings and she is usually quite an impressive player.

Elliot · March-30th-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

I have seen her many times in many settings and she is usually quite an impressive player.

I agree. This just wasn't her night.

Mike Schwartz · March-31st-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

No they're not.

Renee is an amazing player with great ideas and great chops.

I have seen her many times in many settings and she is usually quite an impressive player.

I'm in lock_step with Peter here...have yet to see Renee in concert or hear her on a CD where she's turned in less than a terrific performance.

Granted, if one were to expect to hear something more Herbie-like on his compositions, and get Renee's interpretation may set you back....

Tom Marcello · March-31st-2006, 05:48 PM

Renee Rosnes is very highly respected as a pianist and a composer by her peers.

When I see her name I know I'm going to hear some interesting and exciting music.

I haven't heard the new cd by this organization. Who wants to chime in with a thought?

Elliot · March-31st-2006, 06:00 PM

They have two commercially-available CDs, both recorded live: one from their first season, when they were interpreting Ornette Coleman's music, and one from their second season, when they were doing Trane. Each consists of selections from a 3-CD set, representing their entire season's repertory; those 3-CD sets are available only from their website.

I have heard only the single CD from the first (Ornette) season. I liked it-- enough to want to see them live-- but I enjoyed the live set much more (perhaps because I am much more a fan of Hancock's music than Ornette's). I am looking forward to getting their second CD, with the Trane compositions.

Lois Gilbert · April-1st-2006, 09:45 PM

We are selling the latest set thru Renee Rosnes' site or directly from JazzCares. This is a direct link. The are numbered and in limited edition. Renee will also autograph. It's $35 domestic including shipping

Lois Gilbert · April-1st-2006, 09:48 PM

PS I got an email yesterday from Renee, that the SF was amazing in Ann Arbor and they're now off to Europe. They'll be home on April 17th.

ribot_for_president · April-3rd-2006, 03:36 PM

I saw the SFJazz Collective on the 25th in Newark, they did the same three Herbie tunes mentioned above along with originals from Redman, Payton and Zenon. Good performance and Eric Harland is an absolute monster on drums.