I had a wonderful Jazz Night Out when Richard Sanford and I saw Dave Douglas’ Dada People at the Wexner Center on Tuesday the 11th. With a world-class lineup of pianist Frank Woeste, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Clarence Penn, trumpeter Douglas led a set of his and Woeste’s tunes inspired by Dada movement artist Man Ray. Approaching great works of visual art through jazz composition worked well for this project, and this well attuned quartet brought these ideas to colorful life.
Opener “Spork” established Woeste’s recurring approach to play piano with his left hand and an electric keyboard with his right, providing a shifting spectrum of charged power and (more) grounded tradition. The rhythm section was amazingly cohesive throughout, sticking together for speedy changes and yet still lending an air of unpredictability. “Danger Dancer,” based on the painting of the same name, used the electric pulse of Woeste’s right hand and Penn’s dramatic stick-work to illuminate the subject’s perpetual motion, while a darting Douglas solo led to broad and rumbling Nakamura passage that evolved into a jagged groove forcefully joined by Woeste and Penn. It was a thrilling night of artistic modern jazz given breath by masters of the form.
Shows To See This Week
Friday, April 14th (9pm – 2am): #HEREFRIDAYS presents B Jazz & Friends Birthday Showcase at Notes. The usually-weekly #HEREFRIDAYS series at this basement live music destination offers an upscale mix of great DJs and live music from hip-hop to soul to jazz and beyond. This week’s installment should be especially action-packed, as lauded keyboardist B Jazz (Liquid Crystal Project/The Jazzhop Movement) is celebrating his birthday with a jam and a party! Guest performances are planned by many of Columbus’ finest musicians, so there should be something for most live music fans to love. More information and tickets, including free early admission, are available here.
Saturday, April 15th (7:30 – 10pm): FLIPPO Quartet with Kelly Delaveris: Chick Corea Tribute at Bungalow Jazz. Becky’s Bungalow hosts a powerhouse vocalist with a great band for the second night in a row (after this show) as acclaimed vocalist Delaveris returns to town from her home in Pennsylvania. She will be joined by a quartet version of FLIPPO, with Erik Augis on keys, Michael Cox on sax and flute, Andy Woodson on bass, and Louis Tsamous on drums, for a special look at the music of the legendary Chick Corea. The band “will be performing all the tunes from Chick Corea’s revered Friends album, plus selections from Corea’s acclaimed LP’s Light As a Feather and Return to Forever.” Suggested donation is $20, all of which goes to the performers, for his intimate look at classic jazz fusion material.
Monday, April 17th (6 – 9pm): Dan Rowan Trio featuring Derek DiCenzo at Claddagh (Brewery District). Sponsored by the Jazz Arts Group, “Jazz Night” at this Irish restaurant and bar recently moved an hour earlier and offers a great combination of relaxed live jazz, great food and drinks after the first workday of the week. Pianist/vocalist Rowan and drummer Louis Tsamous are joined each week by a rotation of special guests to form a trio for lively standards. DiCenzo will bring his guitar this week for an enjoyable mix of happy hour tunes. The restaurant’s fish and chips are two for the price of one every Monday for added incentive, so come on down!
Have a great week! Check out B Jazz on a Liquid Crystal Project classic: