Yesterday I checked out the last of several shows as part of what I have been billing this week as the 2011 "unofficial" Calgary Jazz Festival and took in local pianist Lorna MacLachlan's band at the Ironwood Stage & Grill located in Inglewood on Sunday evening. Lorna is an accomplished pianist and dedicated composer who also spends her time inspiring young minds at Western Canada High School as a passionate music educator.
The band consisted of Lorna on piano and vocals joined by local musicians Keith Smith on guitar, Rich Harding on alto and soprano saxophones, Stefano Valdo on bass and Robin Tufts on drums. The group has been playing a lot lately and I sure appreciated the overall cohesiveness that the group demonstrated on Lorna's original compositions, in particular the tricky lines and forms that dealt with a wealth of odd meter phrases. Most of the music played was from Lorna's recent release "Time 4 Change" as well as some of her previous hit tunes including the through composed "Telegraphy". From personal experience, I can tell you that Lorna writes great music that is very challenging but very melodic with many twists and turns. Everyone did a great job of presenting it in a very musical way and it was great to hear her music presented at such a high level. Overall a great way to finish what has been several days of great Jazz music. Perhaps next year we'll be able to organize these many concerts, print off some posters, sell some tickets and call this a proper Jazz festival !
- Looking for some good Jazz advice? Well these two guys have a TON of great things to think about and learn from here:
www.jazzadvice.com There is lots of valuable things to learn from those two. I plan on spending some time reading their columns and hopefully learning a thing or two myself...
- Here's a drummer that, after a recent conversation with Kenny Washington, I intend on checking out more of in the days to come:
If you can recommend some albums that feature Charlie Persip and should be aware of, please let me know.
- George Colligan has an excellent interview he recently did with drummer Ralph Peterson over at his blog Jazztruth: http://jazztruth.blogspot.com/2011/06/ralph-peterson-interview.html
- Roy Haynes is and always will be my hero. Check him out here with the "Freedom" Band along with Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett and Christian McBride:
The level of respect these musicians have for Haynes is self evident. Watch how they all line up in awe behind the drums during Roy's drum feature.