It has been quite some time since I have reported to you from the LAX Westin. Yes, it is true that I am there every Wednesday night as the master of ceremonies. However, for me to write about this great music we call “Jazz”, some elements must be present:
1) Authenticity - Authenticity must be present. The music must be natural and come from the purest place in each musician.
2) Excitement - There needs to be an element of excitement. Great relationships on the bandstand lead to effortless sound and communication in the music.
3) Playing – The music cannot just be played, it has to be PLAYED, FELT and HEARD!
4) Audience – The audience is a key participant in the music. The band feeds off of the energy of the audience and positive body movement and applause contribute greatly to the overall success of the music.
I was extremely glad to see Al Williams walk up here in the Westin with a group of burners. These cats believe in high energy, good music and big fun. Set one was my favorite. Whenever you start off a set with a Thelonious Monk tune, you know you are in for an evening of straight ahead wonder. The sextet played music from Herbie, Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, Eddie Harris, Benny Golson and the list goes on.
Henry Franklin contributed a few original pieces with his thunderous and melodic tone on the bass. It has been quite sometime since I have had a chance to see “The Skipper” perform and tone and creative lines were just what I wanted to hear. In the front line was Noland Shaheed on trumpet and Andre Delano on tenor, alto and soprano. These cats were lighting it up just like it was the 60’s all over again. Derrick Finch was tingling the ivorys with al those Herbisms and creating lots of dynamics in his melodies. Tony Poingsett was turning it out on percussion and of course the powerful sound of “Mr. Long Beach” himself Mr. Al Williams on drums.
I spent some good time with Al during the last International Association of Jazz Educators convention that was held here in Long Beach. It was great to hear stories about Hampton Hawes and some of the other cats that he has played with over the years. Al, if you did not already know, is one of the main cats responsible for bringing jazz to Long Beach. He promotes the Long Beach Jazz Festival every year and still finds time to get out and gig with the fellas.
The second and third sets were all about the Blues. The sound is huge and I am so surprised that the audience here at the Westin was not up on their feet dancing around. The Al Williams sextet puts on a great performance so next time, don’t miss them!
LeRoy Downs
