Concert review: Alice and Ravi Coltrane deliver unforgettable show
By Jim Harrington
MediaNews
True “moments” don't happen all that often in jazz concerts.
There were two, however, during Alice Coltrane's show Saturday at the Masonic Center in San Francisco. In both cases, fans and musicians seemed to know instantly that people would be talking about those moments for months, if not years, to come.
The first occurred during the final number of the band's first set. The tune was John Coltrane's “Impressions” and the players were John's widow, Alice, on keyboards; the couple's son, Ravi Coltrane, on saxophone; Charlie Haden on bass and Roy Haynes on drums.
Toward the end of the song, Ravi and Haynes locked into an epic tussle that reminded one of the work John Coltrane did with drummer Rashied Ali on 1967's avant-garde masterpiece “Interstellar Space.” As the duet came to a mesmerizing climax, Haynes was so moved that he leapt from his kit and bounded over to embrace Ravi. In effect, he was doing what everyone in the crowd longed to do as the last notes of “Impressions” echoed through the venue.
“I haven’t played that hard since I played with John Coltrane,” Haynes remarked to the crowd.
It was that kind of a night, one that will surely be remembered as a distinct highlight of the 24th annual San Francisco Jazz Festival.
Folks seemed to know this would be a special occasion even before they walked into the building. The crowd outside the Masonic was buzzing about having the rare chance to see Alice Coltrane lead this superb band. It was one of only three shows that this all-star ensemble was doing in the U.S. and each patron seemed to feel lucky, if not blessed, to possess a ticket on Saturday night.
The 69-year-old bandleader, dressed in a bright orange outfit that fit both with the Halloween season and for performing in the hometown of the San Francisco Giants, kicked off the show at the organ with “Sita Ram.”
Alice Coltrane has recorded “Sita Ram” on several occasions, most recently on 2004's "Translinear Light." At the Masonic, she used the Middle Eastern-influenced song as a showcase for her impressive hand speed as Haden and Haynes worked a seductive groove.
Dramatically changing direction, Coltrane moved to piano and conjured up a jazzy nightclub feel on the gorgeous original “Blue Nile,” which featured some mind-blowing tenor work by Ravi. The 41-year-old saxophonist moved his body with the music, bending down low like a catcher about to call for a fastball and then bursting upright like a Jack-in-the-box.
As good as Ravi was, Haden might have been even better. On “Blue Nile,” as well as on other tunes, the bassist delivered solos and leads that one wished would keep right on going. One doesn't say that often about a bass solo in a jazz concert.
Following the monumental “Impressions,” the first set concluded and the band left the stage so that fans could have time to digest all they'd seen and heard thus far.
The second set got underway with a great duet by Alice Coltrane (on piano) and Haden, and really took off when the rest of the band rejoined the party for the title track to “Translinear Light.” Ravi Coltrane conjured up images of his father throughout the night, but his rich, lush playing on this number really recalled poppa Trane's late-'50s work.
Alice Coltrane took control during the last song of the second set, her late husband's “Leo,” as she produced a relentless cacophony of sounds on the organ that ranged from wailing sirens to fingernails screeching down the blackboard.
The quartet returned for an encore of John Coltrane's most beloved original tune, “A Love Supreme.” It was during that song that the second true moment occurred.
Following a sensational solo spin on his kit, Haynes brought the beat down low and then glanced out at he crowd. Without any other further prodding, fans began chanting the song's title – “A Love Supreme” – over and over.
It was a truly touching moment, unrehearsed and totally heartfelt. Bet that both the players and the fans won't forget that moment for months, if not years, to come. The same, thankfully, can be said about the concert.
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