No one would dispute that so far, 2016 has been uncommonly brutal in terms of the mortality of a great many musical innovators. Let’s celebrate our living cultural treasures, who continue to thrive, and support them while we still can.
Sonny Rollins, one of a handful of history’s masters of the tenor saxophone, doesn’t frequent the studios in his 80s like in previous decades. Fortunately, Rollins has amassed a vast archive of previously unreleased live performances, and his newest in the “Road Shows” series, “Holding The Stage” (Doxy/Okeh), proves he isn’t straining to find worthy, even inspired music to release. On all of these cuts, ranging from 1979 to 2012, Rollins enlists expert group support, and the music includes deep ballads and alpha-sax blowouts. The real reason to listen to a Rollins album, in 1956 or 2016, is to luxuriate in his inimitable tone and partake of his inexhaustible wealth of improvisatory ideas. I wonder what will emanate from the vault next?
Drummer Jack DeJohnette continues his run of committed creation with “In Movement” (ECM). It’s a trio date showcasing the offspring of one of the most influential groups ever — the classic John Coltrane Quartet. Coltrane’s son, Ravi, holds down the saxophone duties while bassist Matt Garrison, son of ’60s powerhouse Jimmy Garrison, provides support on his main instrument as well as providing subtle but effective synthesized backdrops. It’s quite a departure from a tribute album to the fallen masters alluded to in the lineup, and the results are often exciting and cerebral, with the crystalline ECM sound projecting an intense aura around these swirling collaborations.
A long under-acknowledged soprano saxophonist (by the media, anyway), Jane Ira Bloom releases an engaging album every year or two. The new “Early Americans” (Out-Line) may not be as easy to come by as the above two releases, but it’s just as worthy of admiration. Bloom, as Rollins, is ceaselessly inventive and just as invigorating. And her short compositions here are packed full of life and effortless swing. The trio on this set, bassist Mark Helias and drummer Bobby Previte, help push Bloom to nicely extroverted highs, and she even breathes new life into a solo reading of Leonard Bernstein’s standard “Somewhere” to close out the set on a meditative note.
Pianist Cyrus Chestnut and his Trio are scheduled for May 17-18 at Dazzle, followed by Josh Quinlan and the Denver School Of The Arts Orchestra And Jazz Program re-creating the famous “Charlie Parker With Strings” sessions at Dazzle on May 19. … Smooth-ish guitarist Peter White will play the Soiled Dove Underground on May 20. … Peter Stolzman heads a Chick Corea tribute at Nocturne Jazz And Supper Club on May 19 and 26. … Ryan Kilgor plays Jazz@Jack’s the afternoon of May 28. … City Park Jazz kicks off its season of free Sunday shows with Euforquestra on June 5. Details at …
Bret Saunders can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekday mornings at KBCO 97.3 FM and . bretsaunders@kbco.com
