Sonny Fortune at Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz

[relyles]

It has been a while since I heard any live music and I almost did not go to this one. It was a rainy day and I was not sure about childcare for the evening. But then I could not pass up on an opportunity to hear some free music fifteen minutes from my home.

Fortune played a ninety minute set joined by John Hicks (p), Cecil McBee (b) and Steve Johns (d). Needless to say, you can't got wrong with a free concert with musicians of this caliber. Fortune started the set on soprano for a rendition of Shorter's "Footprints". He played well, but did not seem to have the passion I am used to with Fortune. Did not really matter though. "Footprints" is one of those classic tunes that sets a groove that can be enjoyed if played on a kazoo. Hicks was wonderful on this tune and throughout. Obviously coming out of the Tyner tradition, but by now Hicks is an established master with a unique voice. McBee. Whew. On the first cut the sound system for the outdoor concert was not just right and the bass solo sounded a bit muddy, but the rest of the evening it improved and McBee played some serious do do.

The second tune was Fortune's "Wayning", played on alto. Now we are starting to get somewhere, but still need a little more. Fortune played the next two tunes on flute. "Awakenings" and "Sophisticated Lady". I am not a big flute person, but even I realized that I witnessed a master flute player on his solo on "Awakenings". Nothing too showy, but the right notes, at the right places with the right amount of energy and rhythmic pace. Wonderful. Oh yeah, if the first paragraph was not clear don't think my failure to continue to comment about Hicks and McBee means anything. Just assume that they were terrific throughout. Fortune started "Sophisticated Lady" solo and by the time he actually stated the theme and went into a mellow groove, the slightly diminished audience (because of the rain) of hard core jazz fans and casual listeners out for an evening in the park were all with him. Probably the right song for this particular audience. Something familiar that everyone could get into.

For the final number Fortune returned to the alto for Larry Willis' aptly titled "Come out of the Rain". All I am going to say is that I wish he had started the performance like this. Great composition and the passion really came out. His solo was tremendous and Hicks and McBee both took turns that brought hearty applause. This is the song that made me wish he had stuck to the alto for the whole set. His distinct tone - somewhat exotic - and the passion combined with some clever ideas were fantastic.

Overall, although this was not a historic set, it was entertaining and I am very glad that I did not let the weather prevent me from checking this one out.

By the way, I did not stay for the headline act, Chuck Loeb.