As 2007 came to a close I went to capture one more piece of creativity before I laid it to rest. Eric Reed was in town and I don’t recall seeing him play for many years to I wanted to see “What’s New” as they say. Every year represents so many different things for all of us and for me, 2008 has much creativity in store.
As I walked in, Eric was working his usual charm on the crowd. Hometown boy makes good music is the vibe and his performances are always celebrated by those in anticipation of the beautifully God given talent that he delivers. The first tune that I heard was a Stevie Wonder composition that you all know so well called “Overjoyed”. The title of this tune seems to be the plane that Eric lives and plays on every time. The bright brilliant bounce that dances around as his fingers swing, stride and emphatically exude Eric’s good nature through his music. Solo piano with some simple soothing melodies and layered chords puts that peace all up in the music.
Music is a healer and Eric knows the power that musical blessings can bestow upon those who open their hearts along with their ears and partake in the richness of the spirit! Like many extraordinary players, Eric was raised in the church and has always been in touch with divinity. When you listen to the music, you are going to get the message either directly or through musical osmosis and it is all based in love.
“I see dead people” is a popular phrase that people seem to remember from the movies but will you remember “ICHN (I See Herbie Nichols). “ICHN”, a tune written by Eric to honor the late great pianist and composer who like many were over looked because his music at the time was to logically complex for the simple minded music marketers of the day. But, just as the youth of today must do, Eric reaches back to the past to put a shine on the future!
Eric’s stories are humorous and his analogies of life play in the music as the history that lives between each note. He says that he did not always like to play ballads but I find this hard to believe because he brings such tenderness to each piece as he romanticizes “Dedicated to You”.
Eric approaches the piano with such ease it is like breathing, no effort to produce such life. At times, the music is slightly stridish with happy, big sounding climatic drama summing up the same in audience response. Everyone owes the development of their musical being to someone and tonight, a person that has been a mentor, advisor and inspiration for Eric’s journey is with us, Mr. Gerald Wiggins!
Eric introduces the other cats in his trio Dan Lutz and Kevin Cantor and as he starts to continue on someone way back in the rear of the audience yells out his introduction, “ERIC REED”!
Eric said, “What I used to do all night now takes me all night to do” but, don’t let that old man talk fool you. Eric is as young and vivacious as ever and can deliver technical speed, strength, charm, personality and never ending ability like there is no tomorrow because he is in the moment and the moment is now!
LeRoy Downs
