Saw Dave Brubeck with gocubbies and g-friend last night at the Hollywood Bowl. Oh MY GOD he’s old. In his 80’s and too hilarious in a grandpa trying tell a joke way when he’s telling his stories. He went on a tour along the iron curtain in the 50’s cause Eisenhower wanted him to. He’s been given tons of honorary doctorates from countless universities.
And what happens? He gets blown off the stage by his opening band. I mean, it was not pathetic per se, just exquisite to see how amazing the opening band, McCoy Tyner Trio really elevated the night to such a degree that it was pretty difficult for the road dogs of the Brubeck Quartet to keep up. But you have to applaude them as they’re still going strong and loving every minute it seems.
The only thing that truly sucked is how short his signature tune, Take 5, was. It was around 6-7 minutes long if you include the 5 minute drum solo in the middle. Attention Jazz geeks: You don’t HAVE to do a drum solo! The beauty of a drum solo is if you blow our minds, not if you’re just fast and good like all the rest. The drummer for the last act, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, did a solo as well but it was not “look at my chops;” it was an assemblage of different beats. He just grooved the whole time and it was cool. McCoy’s drummer made you consider the prospects of the higher being most definitely being a drummer because this guy was incredible. Nothing like a drum solo that leaves your jaw dropped wide open.
The cool thing about the McCoy Tyner Trio is that they played much like a rock band. They only had a few chords and did not try to blaze a “look what theory I know” trail in their compositions and performance. They just found riffs around chords around grooves. It was amazing. So much so, that I bought one of his records. Only problem: The recording sucks, and I’m taking it back.
But I got the image in my head, and it was nice. Another thing: McCoy Tyner was the piano player for John Coltrane. And guess what he played on? THE LOVE SUPREME (among other things). Wow.
Going to see a singer/songwriter named Kryster Axel tonight.
