Lacy and Danilo

[stevebop]

This weekend Steve Lacy and Danilo Perez played The RegattaBar in Cambridge, MA for two nights, four sets. I heard three of them. Magnificent!
They played some familiar originals (Flakes, The Rent, Blinks), some newer material ( Danilo's "Love in Five", a piece called "Baghdad"; "Esteem" (for Johnny Hodges) and of course some Monk (Monk's Dream; Evidence, Reflections).
They seemed to be totally in tune with each other's thoiughts and ideas. I've never heard Danilo play so free and imaginative. Backstage he thnaked Steve for allowing him so much freedom and space to create. Lacy was his usual clear-thinking self, laying down one note on top of another to realize his ideas (I think of him as an aural pointillist).
The Boston/Cambridge audience loved every minute and they did an encore at the close of each set. We are so fortunate to have these two creative artists living here.
WGBH recorded both Saturday night sets for later rebroadcast locally and for future consideration on NPRs JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgwater. Details as they become known.

Always Know,

Steve Schwartz

Jazz From Studio 4
Sunday 8p-1a
WGBH, 89.7FM, Boston
www.wgbh.org

[Captain Hate]

Any recording sessions in the works? After Lacy's long-term relationship with Mal Waldron it would be really nice to have him hook up with another pianist.

[hearsay]

How does Paul B feel about this?

[Paul B]

To answer hearsay's question: I'm all for it.

Caught Lacy and Perez for two sets (the second and third) at Sweet Rhythm on Saturday night. I sat right in front, just a few feet away from the piano and Mr. Lacy's horn. What followed was two hours of absolutely sublime music.

Set lists:

Well You Needn't
Morning Glory
Baghdad
Love in Five
Flakes
Deadline

Evidence
Longing
Esteem
Blinks

Perez, it turns out, is a fascinating pianist. He seems a cross between Ran Blake and Bud Powell, and played beautfully intelligent ideas, never falling into cliche. A few "downtown" pianists could learn a thing or two from this man. And he and Lacy seemed perfectly in synch, and simpatico. They clearly like working together, and have learned to mesh their styles and ideas. I had seen the two at the Charlie Parker festival several years ago, and had not been entirely impressed with Perez. Aside from the fact that outdoor festivals are lame, his piano playing just didn't seem compelling, and I wondered what it was about him that Lacy liked. I mentioned this to Lacy Saturday, and he agreed, saying that show "never got off the ground," and that they weren't at all happy with the playing situation there.

As for Lacy, he's still at the top of his game. As my friend Bruce Ackley of Rova put it last week, he is, quite simply, peerless, and if it wasn't clear to anyone years ago, it should be obvious that he is on a par with anyone who has played this music (yes, that means anyone). His originality, and his track record, make the point abundantly clear.

Lacy told me that he and Perez just did a recording that will be broadcast on NPR, and that they hope to get an album out soon.

I'll be the first in line for that one.

Bye-ya.

[shrugs]

There is a Lacy with the Perez trio gig listed at Lacy's home page.
At Carnegie Hall Feb '04.
also a duet with Martial Solal this October