Monterey 52

Lois Gilbert · August-14th-2009, 06:46 AM

Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side
All-Star Band* with Special Guests Randy Brecker and Joe Lovano (Showcase Artist)

Playing the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Kind of Blue and Giant Steps

Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars
featuring Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, and Russell Malone

Esperanza Spalding

Susan Tedeschi*

Pete Seeger*

John Scofield and the Piety Street Band*

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
(Artists-In-Residence)

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Hank Jones & Joe Lovano Quartet*with John Patitucci
and Brian Blade

George Duke*

Next Generation Jazz Orchestra*
with Special Guest Wynton Marsalis

Top High School Big Band from the Next Generation Festival

THREE GENERATIONS OF PIANISTS
Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White Trio*

Dave Brubeck Quartet*
Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Time Out

Jason Moran & The Bandwagon (Commission Artist)
Premiering Feedback

for more info visit: http://montereyjazzfestival.org

Lois Gilbert · August-14th-2009, 08:33 AM

Rare Opportunity For Heirloom Purchase Guaranteeing Seats For Years
Three-Day Arena Package Includes Exclusive Access To 5 Shows Of World-Class Music On The Legendary Jimmy Lyons Stage Plus Access To 8 Other Grounds Venues

Great Seats Available For Exclusive Arena Performances Including Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke And Lenny White Trio; Dave Brubeck Quartet, John Scofield And The Piety Street Band, Pete Seeger, Susan Tedeschi, Hank Jones And Joe Lovano Quartet, George Duke

Monterey, CA--Offering a rare opportunity for fans to purchase and retain Arena seats, the Monterey Jazz Festival has announced that Arena Packages for the 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival are still available. An Arena Package provides intimate access to exclusive world-class music on the legendary Jimmy Lyons Stage, the site of countless musical memories and historic events since 1958.

“Arena Tickets are like an heirloom purchase -- patrons can renew their seats every year," says Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate for MJF. “In times like these, upgrades, which in previous years would have been difficult, are now possible. The Arena is where you feel the weight of history, and this offers our fans a chance to be a part of that history."

Arena Packages are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival's website, montereyjazzfestival.org. Arena Packages are available starting from $225, and include one reserved seat for each of five concerts on the Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage, access to all performances and activities on eight additional stages throughout the Grounds throughout the weekend, plus conversations, exhibitions, panel discussions, international shopping, food and beverages, and more.

Photo of legendary jazz pianist Hank Jones at Monterey Jazz Festival 2006 by James Knox Exclusive and legendary performances in the 6500-seat Arena are commonplace at the Monterey Jazz Festival since 1958. Exclusive Arena artists for 2009 include the Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White Trio; Dave Brubeck Quartet, John Scofield and the Piety Street Band, Pete Seeger, Susan Tedeschi, Hank Jones / Joe Lovano Quartet, George Duke, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra featuring Wynton Marsalis, and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Big Band.

Arena artists additionally performing on the grounds will include Conrad Herwig's Latin Side All-Star Band, the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars featuring Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, and Russell Malone; Esperanza Spalding; John Scofield, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joe Lovano with John Patitucci and Brian Blade; and Jason Moran and The Bandwagon.

Sunday Night in the Arena features an Arena exclusive: Three Generations of Pianists, with the Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White Trio; the Dave Brubeck Quartet (celebrating the 50th anniversary of Time Out); and the 2009 Commission Artist, Jason Moran and The Bandwagon, debuting this year's MJF-chartered work, Feedback. The piece refers to another historic event held on the Monterey Fairgrounds 42 years ago - the Monterey Pop Festival, which included the U.S. debut of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. On the Arena stage in 1967, the iconic and influential guitarist shocked audiences by setting his guitar on fire and smashing it on stage. Moran's Feedback will try to recapture the symbiotic relationship when performers and audiences are engaged in a musical and psychic dialog.

Tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival's website, montereyjazzfestival.org. Full Weekend Arena Packages are available starting from $225, and include one reserved seat for each of five concerts on the Arena/Jimmy Lyons Stage, access to all performances and activities on eight additional stages throughout the Grounds throughout the weekend, plus conversations, exhibitions, panel discussions, international shopping, food and beverages, and more.

For the full MJF/52 lineup, tickets and additional information, visit montereyjazzfestival.org.

The Monterey Jazz Festival is dedicated to perpetuating the uniquely American form of music known as jazz by producing performances that celebrate the legacy and expand the boundaries of jazz; and by presenting year-round local, regional, national, and international jazz education programs. The Monterey Jazz Festival is a nonprofit organization and has donated its proceeds to musical education since its inception in 1958.

Valerie · August-14th-2009, 04:24 PM

and last, but not least, Valerie and Lois are going to have a drink together (i hope)!!

Mike Schwartz · August-15th-2009, 02:10 PM

Hope to keep my recent streak of Sunday attendance going this year.

Valerie · August-15th-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

Hope to keep my recent streak of Sunday attendance going this year.

and i will most definitely look forward to my yearly hug!!

hornplayer · August-16th-2009, 11:13 AM

cannot believe they would schedule it on Rosh Hashanah!

Valerie · August-16th-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hornplayer

cannot believe they would schedule it on Rosh Hashanah!

it's happened before as it's always scheduled for whatever is the third complete weekend in Sept.

Lois Gilbert · August-19th-2009, 06:43 AM

I am so psyched to be going. So Mike you better show up!!

Mike Schwartz · August-19th-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

I am so psyched to be going. So Mike you better show up!!

Sunday.....the routine in recent years is to dial my younger sister Valerie when I get there, agree on a meeting place, followed by hugging amd shmoozing.

Valerie · August-19th-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

Sunday.....the routine in recent years is to dial my younger sister Valerie when I get there, agree on a meeting place, followed by hugging amd shmoozing.

Yeah, i love tradition!!!

Scott Yanow · August-24th-2009, 01:41 AM

I'll be there for the 23rd straight year. I think it's the best all-round American modern jazz festival with music on 5 (not 9) stages going on much of the time.

Lois Gilbert · September-11th-2009, 09:24 PM

so what is everyone planning to see at Monterey?

Tips, pointers?

Valerie · September-11th-2009, 11:50 PM

i wait until i get there and see the entire line-up with the times for each set and then get to work with my highlighter! i even plan so that when things are overlapping approx. what time i'm going to leave one venue to make something at another venue!

btw, Lois, i'll be arriving at the Hyatt early afternoon on Friday!!

xoxo

Peterdubya · September-12th-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

so what is everyone planning to see at Monterey?

Live jazz performances.......

Valerie · September-12th-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

Live jazz performances.......

. . . and hopefully you and Chelsea!!! xoxo

Lois Gilbert · September-12th-2009, 02:33 PM

Monterey Jazz Festival Announces Single-Show Arena Tickets Available For MJF/52
By James on September 12, 2009 3:58 AM | No Comments
Single-Show Arena Tickets Include Access To One Arena Concert Plus 8 Additional Stages On The Grounds
Monterey Jazz Festival Full Arena Packages And Grounds Tickets Still Available

Single-Show Arena And Grounds Tickets Include World-Class Music, Jazz Education, Conversations and Forums, Clinics, Activities For Kids And Families, International Shopping, Food, And Films On Monterey Fairgrounds, September 18 - 20, 2009

New Grooves Party On Friday; Family Day Activities On Sunday

September 12, 2009; Monterey, CA; Offering jazz fans a rare opportunity to see some of the jazz world's finest talent, the Monterey Jazz Festival has announced that it will be selling Single-Show Arena Seats for the 52nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival presented by Verizon, September 18 - 20, 2009. Single-Show Arena Tickets give patrons the ability to purchase a reserved seat for the Arena concert of their choice, and includes access to 8 additional stages on the Grounds, as well as all Grounds events and activities.

Prices range from $55 to $65 for each of the Single-Show Arena Tickets, available by phone (925.275.9255), online (montereyjazzfestival.org), and at the Monterey Jazz Festival's Monterey Fairgrounds Ticket Office starting on Monday, September 14th.

Fans can choose from five Arena shows including:

Friday night (featuring Conrad Herwig's Latin Side All-Star Band with special guests Randy Brecker and Joe Lovano; the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars featuring Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, and Russell Malone; and Esperanza Spalding). Friday night tickets are priced at $55.

Saturday afternoon (featuring Susan Tedeschi; Pete Seeger; and John Scofield and the Piety Street Band). Saturday afternoon tickets are priced at $60.

Saturday night (featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; Dee Dee Bridgewater; and the Hank Jones & Joe Lovano Quartet with John Patitucci and Brian Blade). Saturday night tickets are priced at $65.

Sunday Afternoon (featuring George Duke; the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra with Special Guest Wynton Marsalis; and the Los Angeles County High School County for the Arts Big Band). Sunday afternoon tickets are priced at $60.

Sunday night (featuring the Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White Trio; the Dave Brubeck Quartet; and Jason Moran & The Bandwagon). Sunday night tickets are priced at $65.

"This is great news for fans who have always wanted to attend Arena shows, commented Timothy Orr, marketing associate for the festival. "It's unprecedented in recent history. We feel that it's the best value for people on a budget to get an Arena show of their choice, on the day of their choice. Since the Single-Show Arena Tickets also give access to the grounds, it's a tremendous value, especially in today's economy.

In addition to the newly launched Single Show Tickets, the Festival also has available Full Arena Packages (with one reserved seat for all 5 Arena shows), as well as daily and Full Weekend Grounds Tickets. All tickets are on sale now by phone at (925) 275-9255 and on the Monterey Jazz Festival's website, montereyjazzfestival.org.

Full Arena Packages for all 5 performances begin at $225. Daily Grounds Tickets are from $35 (Friday) and $45 (Saturday or Sunday); full Weekend Grounds Tickets are $110.00. MJF's new Family Discount Pack is $80 for 2 Adult and 2 Youth Tickets for a single day. Grounds Ticket prices will increase by $5.00 when purchased from Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 20 and patrons are advised to purchase tickets now.

Visit http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org for a printable schedule of MJF/52.

Friday night's Grounds artists on the Grounds include Lizz Wright and Esperanza Spalding, performing New Grooves in Dizzy's Den, presented by CareFusion. In the Night Club, the Scott Amendola Trio, the John Patitucci Trio featuring Joe Lovano and Brian Blade and Forro in the Dark will perform. The Garden Stage showcases the Roger Eddy Group, the 2009 Berklee-Monterey Quartet, and Global Noize, with keyboardist Jason Miles and DJ Logic. The Coffee House Gallery will feature three sets from pianist Jonathan Batiste.

Saturday on the Grounds, the Garden Stage will include a tribute to Charles Brown from pianist Martin Headman; Texas blues from Ruthie Foster, the New Orleans All-Stars featuring Henry Butler and Cyrile Neville, vocalist Raul Midón, and Wayne Wallace and Rhythm & Rhyme. Dizzy's Den presented by CareFusion will have a historical conversation 3-time Grammy-winner, producer Michael Cuscuna, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, and author Ashley Kahn. Journalist Dan Ouellette returns with the DownBeat Blindfold Test with legendary pianist George Duke. Also featured will be the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars with Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, and Russell Malone, followed by Soulive, featuring John Scofield; and Dee Dee Bridgewater. The Coffee House Gallery will be treated to three sets each from Weber Iago's "The Dhanyavad Project" and the Peter Erskine and Alan Pasqua Trio.

In the Night Club, Saturday gets off to a youthful start with the top college vocal group from MJF's Next Generation Festival, the CSU Long Beach Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Pacific Standard Time, followed by the Monterey Bay Jazz Orchestra and the Hironobu Saito Quartet. The evening's shows feature the Cuban and Latin jazz of the Rodriguez Brothers, post-bop from trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (a former MJF Next Generation Jazz Orchestra member) and Conrad Herwig's Latin Side All-Star Band, playing the music of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.

On Sunday, the Night Club will host the student groups from MJF's Next Generation Festival, including the Berkeley High School Combo "A"; Hamilton High School Academy of Music Vocal Jazz Ensemble; Folsom High School Jazz Choir "A"; Jazzschool Studio Band "A"; Valley Christian High School Jazz Ensemble; Folsom High School Big Band "A"; and the Monterey County High School All-Star Big Band. Sunday Evening's Night Club concerts feature pianist and NEA Jazz Master Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Quartet, followed by Jason Moran & The Bandwagon.

Sunday in Dizzy's Den presented by CareFusion features an afternoon of jazz education and music, with a conversation with NEA Jazz Master Toshiko Akiyoshi, hosted by journalist Yoshi Kato, followed by a Jazz Journalists Association panel entitled Jazz...and the DJs Who Played the Records moderated by Dan Ouellette, with notable radio personalities Alan Schultz, Jayne Sanchez, Herb Wong, and Bob Parlocha. Sunday evening will have shows from Joe Lovano and Us Five, with bassist Esperanza Spalding, pianist James Weidman, and drummers Francisco Mela and Otis Brown Jr; followed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Sunday's Garden Stage will feature the top college big band from the Next Generation Festival, the CSU Long Beach Big Band, followed by master trumpeter, Scotty Barnhart and Cuban pianist, Alfredo Rodriguez. Sunday evening's Garden Stage will debut Buffalo Collision, featuring Ethan Iverson, Dave King, Tim Berne and Hank Roberts; and The Shotgun Wedding Quintet.

The Coffee House Gallery will host guitarist Terrence Brewer for two sets, followed by trumpeter Dominick Farinacci (a former MJF Next Generation Jazz Orchestra member) and two sets from the visionary pianist, Vijay Iyer.

All weekend long in the evenings, Lyons Lounge at the end of Lyons Lane will pulse with Samba, Afro-Cuban, funk and Soul-jazz sounds of Vinnie Esparza (Friday and Saturday) and DJ Logic (Sunday). During the day, from 3 to 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday in Lyons Lounge, students can participate in a new jam session, hosted by the Festival in the Lounge. Judy Roberts will be performing on the Yamaha AvantGrand on the Courtyard Stage, at the entrance of the Festival Grounds.

Sunday, September 20th marks the Festival's 4th Annual Family Day. Families and children of all ages can participate in special activities, hear the country's top student jazz musicians, and join in the fun with the return of the popular Percussion Playshop, MJF's innovative "Instrument Petting Zoo" with high-tech, professional gear provided by Yamaha. The younger set can also bounce in the "Jazzy Jumper" on the West Lawn.

New for 2009, families can take advantage of MJF's Family Discount Pack, which includes two Adult Grounds Tickets and two Youth Grounds Tickets (2 - 18 years old) for only $80 on Friday, $100 on Saturday or Sunday -- a savings of up to $20. With kids under 2 years free, the family can enjoy MJF/52 together and save. Families will enjoy the music, exhibitions, food, beverages, an international shopping bazaar, and much more on the 20 acres of beautiful forested fairgrounds, with lots of room to roam, play, and picnic.

Single-Show Arena Tickets are now on sale on the Monterey Jazz Festival's website, montereyjazzfestival.org and can be purchased by phone (925.275.9255) and by walk-up purchase beginning Monday, September 14 at the Festival's Monterey Fairgrounds on-site Ticket Office at 2000 Fairgrounds Road in Monterey

Lois Gilbert · September-12th-2009, 02:34 PM

Yay Val. We'll see you at the Hyatt. Excellent

Peterdubya · September-12th-2009, 03:58 PM

We'll be there all weekend......

Lois, for everyone it's different.... just depends on your mood and what's going on.... There will be times where you want to see all 5 bands at the same time, others where you can just sit and enjoy an entire set.....

You'll get good exercise, and unhealthy food......

Valerie · September-12th-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peterdubya

We'll be there all weekend......

Lois, for everyone it's different.... just depends on your mood and what's going on.... There will be times where you want to see all 5 bands at the same time, others where you can just sit and enjoy an entire set.....

You'll get good exercise, and unhealthy food......

oh, that's great news, Peter!!! i hope you have my cell no. if not, please e-mail me for it before Fri.

btw, not wholly unhealthy food this year!! for the first time, they'll have a Farmer's Market venue of fruits and vegetables as well as a salad bar!! yeah!

and, Lois, don't forget to check out the panels/interviews. i've always enjoyed them.

Ron Thorne · September-12th-2009, 11:53 PM

Patti and I would loved to have attended this year's festival, but it didn't work out.

I'm envious, as usual, and hoping for the best for next year.

Enjoy, everyone.

Scott Yanow · September-13th-2009, 02:32 AM

Who am I planning on seeing at Monterey? Every single group, as long as my tennis shoes hold out. I might be the only one that actually does that. Sometimes it's the groups that I never heard of that create the best music, though it can be frustrating leaving something that is very good to run across the fairgrounds to another band.

Peterdubya · September-13th-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Yanow

Who am I planning on seeing at Monterey? Every single group, as long as my tennis shoes hold out. I might be the only one that actually does that. Sometimes it's the groups that I never heard of that create the best music, though it can be frustrating leaving something that is very good to run across the fairgrounds to another band.

Scott, I've done that a few times, and then for some reason, a couple of years ago, I sat and watched a whole set by someone.... and it was great.... sort of changed my thinking.....

so, we'll see what happens this time.

Valerie · September-13th-2009, 03:36 PM

ain't it great to have the freedom of choices?!?!? and i get much-needed exercise as well!

Scott Yanow · September-15th-2009, 07:01 PM

56 groups (not counting the high school bands) in 2 1/2 days. I'm ready!

Mike Schwartz · September-16th-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Yanow

56 groups (not counting the high school bands) in 2 1/2 days. I'm ready!

what a wuss

Gerardo A · September-21st-2009, 12:09 PM

I went there yesterday (Sunday) and everything that I caught was fantastic.

Buffalo Collision (Tim Berne/Ethan Iverson/Hank Roberts/Dave King) surprised me with a poppy, almost alternative-rock moment after a mega skronky section (at the end of an Ethan Iverson solo that sounded very much like something Alex von Schlippenbach or Fred van Hove would have played in their darkest, moodiest moments) in which Hank Roberts went crazy with the distortion pedal and Berne entered with a sustained growl that was simultaneously a pure tone (or so it seemed).

Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin Quartet. A surprisingly strong band! Wasn't expecting Toshiko Akiyoshi to play so forcefully (in the good sense of the word) and Lew Tabackin to swing so mightily. Does anyone know who the bass player was? I was really impressed with a solo of his, on the sax trio tune that came up before they played a Toshiko composition from the 50's, with flute.

Vijay Iyer Trio. Pretty good sets (me and my friends caught most of the first one and the latter half of the second one), although, even if they played the music and the compositions at a really high level, I felt the sets only really lifted up during a couple of moments. Maybe I expected the playing to be more loose, but it sounded a bit too formalistic for me. All of this maybe had to do with the fact that they didn't have their regular bass player, although the replacement did more than a competent job. However, the general tone of the compositions, as well as the vocabulary of the piano, was dark and original, and I really enjoyed that.

[Note:] Much praise must also be given to the programmers of the festival, that kept the Coffee House Gallery space as a haven for two sets of freer, left-side piano trios on Sundays. Last year was Myra Melford with Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson, and this year was Vijay's trio. And two sets each! Also, it's probably the smallest concert room in the fest (about 100-120 max.), so it's perfect for piano trios.

Jason Moran & the Bandwagon: Nasheet Waits, wow! What an incredible trio. They played six tunes and each one started with Moran playing a piece of music from his iPod (placed inside the piano), ranging from Billie Holiday singing a Bernstein tune to the Andrew Hill Trio (with Richard Davis and Roy Haynes) and what seemed like a Tex-Mex narration of a soccer match. Besides Nasheet's powerhouse performance, I also loved Tarus Mateen's electric bass sound. They simply cooked.

I love this fest. Glad it's in my town! Already looking forward to next year's!

Mike Schwartz · September-21st-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerardo A

I went there yesterday (Sunday) and everything that I caught was fantastic.

Buffalo Collision (Tim Berne/Ethan Iverson/Hank Roberts/Dave King) surprised me with a poppy, almost alternative-rock moment after a mega skronky section (at the end of an Ethan Iverson solo that sounded very much like something Alex von Schlippenbach or Fred van Hove could have played in their darkest, moodiest moments) in which Hank Roberts went crazy witht the distortion pedal and Berne entered with a sustained growl that was simultaneously a pure tone (or so it seemed).

Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin Quartet. A surprisingly strong band! Wasn't expecting Toshiko Akiyoshi to play so forcefully and Lew Tabackin to swing so mightily. Does anyone who was the bass player? I was really impressed with a solo of his (in the sax trio tune before they played a Toshiko composition from the 50's, with flute).

Vijay Iyer Trio. Pretty great sets (me and my friends caught most of the first one and the latter half of the second one), although, even if they played the music and the compositions at a really high level, I felt the sets only really lifted up during a couple of moments. Maybe I expected the playing to be more loose, but it sounded a bit too formalistic for me. All of this maybe had to do with the fact that they didn't have their regular bass player, although the replacement did a more than competent job. However, the general tone of the compositions, as well as the vocabulary of the piano, is dark and original.

[Note:] Much praise must also be given to the programmers of the festival, that kept the Coffee House Gallery space as a haven for two sets of freer, left-side piano trios on Sundays. Last year was Myra Melford with Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson, and this year was Vijay's trio. And two sets each! Also, it's probably the smallest concert room in the fest (about 100-120 max.), so it's perfect for piano trios.

Jason Moran & the Bandwagon: Nasheet Waits, wow! What an incredible trio. They played six tunes and each one started with Moran playing a piece of music from his iPod (placed inside the piano), ranging from Billie Holiday singing a Bernstein tune to the Andrew Hill Trio (with Richard David and Roy Haynes) and what seemed like a Tex-Mex narration of a soccer match. Besides Nasheet's powerhouse performance, I also loved Tarus Mateen's electric bass sound. They simply cooked.

I love this fest. Glad that it's in my town! Already looking forward to next year's!

Was unable to attend (gametime decision)....cannot walk a festival of this type with the present condition of one of my knees.

Had highlighted a similar lineup to see as Gerardo.

As for bolding the paragraph relating to Akiyoshi/Tabackin, that's what they do, and that's what they've done for quite some time. Planning on seeing them at Yoshi's/SF Tuesday.

Gerardo A · September-21st-2009, 10:17 PM

Sorry you missed it, Mike. Would you mind letting me know (after you see the Akiyoshi/Tabackin quartet) who the bass player was?

Valerie · September-22nd-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

Was unable to attend (gametime decision)....cannot walk a festival of this type with the present condition of one of my knees.

Had highlighted a similar lineup to see as Gerardo.

As for bolding the paragraph relating to Akiyoshi/Tabackin, that's what they do, and that's what they've done for quite some time. Planning on seeing them at Yoshi's/SF Tuesday.

i really missed seeing you, my dear! Lois did as well.

please tell Toshiko and Lew that you're my big brother! they were phenomenal in their set with Messrs. Turner and Washington!!

Lois Gilbert · September-22nd-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerardo A

I went there yesterday (Sunday) and everything that I caught was fantastic.

Buffalo Collision (Tim Berne/Ethan Iverson/Hank Roberts/Dave King) surprised me with a poppy, almost alternative-rock moment after a mega skronky section (at the end of an Ethan Iverson solo that sounded very much like something Alex von Schlippenbach or Fred van Hove could have played in their darkest, moodiest moments) in which Hank Roberts went crazy with the distortion pedal and Berne entered with a sustained growl that was simultaneously a pure tone (or so it seemed).

Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin Quartet. A surprisingly strong band! Wasn't expecting Toshiko Akiyoshi to play so forcefully (in the good sense of the word) and Lew Tabackin to swing so mightily. Does anyone know who was the bass player? I was really impressed with a solo of his, on the sax trio tune that came up before they played a Toshiko composition from the 50's, with flute.

Vijay Iyer Trio. Pretty good sets (me and my friends caught most of the first one and the latter half of the second one), although, even if they played the music and the compositions at a really high level, I felt the sets only really lifted up during a couple of moments. Maybe I expected the playing to be more loose, but it sounded a bit too formalistic for me. All of this maybe had to do with the fact that they didn't have their regular bass player, although the replacement did more than a competent job. However, the general tone of the compositions, as well as the vocabulary of the piano, was dark and original, and I really enjoyed that.

[Note:] Much praise must also be given to the programmers of the festival, that kept the Coffee House Gallery space as a haven for two sets of freer, left-side piano trios on Sundays. Last year was Myra Melford with Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson, and this year was Vijay's trio. And two sets each! Also, it's probably the smallest concert room in the fest (about 100-120 max.), so it's perfect for piano trios.

Jason Moran & the Bandwagon: Nasheet Waits, wow! What an incredible trio. They played six tunes and each one started with Moran playing a piece of music from his iPod (placed inside the piano), ranging from Billie Holiday singing a Bernstein tune to the Andrew Hill Trio (with Richard David and Roy Haynes) and what seemed like a Tex-Mex narration of a soccer match. Besides Nasheet's powerhouse performance, I also loved Tarus Mateen's electric bass sound. They simply cooked.

I love this fest. Glad that it's in my town! Already looking forward to next year's!

Gerardo I can't believe we didn't hook up. NEXT YEAR. The dates of Monterey are now blocked for the next --- years. I will post as much as I can in the next few days. I'm exhausted, but the melody and memory lingers on.