Slide Show
Talk
about the ticket to have, Charlie Haden and Ornette Coleman on a double
bill! Normally, when I go to any jazz event, I always take a look
around to see if there are any familiar jazz faces in the house. This
time everyone I knew was outside standing in line trying to get a
ticket. Luckily, they all did. The house was packed for a sold out
performance. Before each performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall,
there is the familiar sound of cell phones ringing super loud. This the
Disney’s way to tell everyone to make sure to turn off all of their
electronic devices and as usual it gets a little chuckle. But, tonight
the music is no laughing matter. These are some serious jazz fans mixed
amongst the subscribers and we are ready for jazz to be heard!
The stage is lit in a calming lavender and we the audience came to hear some of the legends of our music perform. I am on the side facing the door on stage where the musicians are and as it opens, out walks Charlie and his band. I wasn’t sure if Ornette and Charlie were going to be playing together but, it turned out that they each had their own players for the evening. Each musician goes to their prospective instrument that is awaiting them on the stage. The audience applause is thunderous and Charlie edges them to continue and they do. Charlie has a new disc out called “Land of the Sun” which was arranged by his wonderfully talented pianist, Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Ernie Watts is ready to play as well as Ignacio Berroa on drums, Miguel Zenon on Alto, Michael Rodriguez on Trumpet, Oriente Lopez on flute and one of are very own guitarist, Mr. Larry Koonse.
The last time I saw Charlie, his arm was in a sling. I believe it was a case of carpel tunnel. However the only thing slinging tonight is pure, rich magic!
Miguel Zenon was blowin’ down the Disney just as he did a while back when he played at Royce Hall with the SF Collective only this time in a much calmer manor. The music from Charlie Haden and his band was not on the wild side at all. Many of us expected the fire, agility and freedom that is usually synonymous with the name Ornette Coleman but, this is Charlie’s set, and the music is calm, controlled, even toned and beautiful. If you turned the jazz dial in your ears down from avant to fire to calm, beautiful and peaceful, then this is a set you thoroughly enjoyed.
One thing I love about a jazz audience is that we the audience participate and are always a part of the performance. We don’t have to wait to share our appreciation, it is immediate. Ernie, the statesman and constant gentleman of gentle tones and fluid sound, is such a given in this equation. Gonzalo arranged these pieces with such heart. Such warm love blankets the walls of the Disney and the sound is pristine. Charlie’s solos can make any venue seem intimate and Ignacio brushes a light coat that marches and provides the time and the forward movement.
Charlie Haden is positioned on a platform with just him, his bass and a monitor all to his self. This must enhance the resonance of the sound of his instrument. You could certainly feel it clearly as it penetrated your body. The temperature seems pretty warm but, I saw many of the musicians on stage were warming their hands. Their temperature has to be just right to keep the music flowing that way. The sound in this hall is so spectacular and I am so happy that jazz is on the calendar. The band is always morphing, adding and subtracting players as each tune sees fit. When you listen, you hear every player’s contribution clearly, even as the instruments are interwoven in the fabric of each piece. No one has to shout or scream to be heard. I don’t know Gonzalo personally but, I can tell you that he must be the biggest romantic. Larry Koonse joins the band on stage and the front line gets to chill because he has got this tune covered. He and Gonzalo exchange such beautiful melodies on “Nostalgia” with Ignacio providing the rhythm with the fire turned on medium heat.
Yes a beautiful set of mellow music, quite the contrast of what was to come….
Facing
the same door after intermission, I saw one of the coolest cats stroll
through. With cheers, applause, love and happiness, Mr. Ornette Coleman
waltzed in with a blue suit, a lid with pork and pie and a smile that
said; Hello, thank you very much, my name is Ornette Coleman and I came
to play!
Maybe there were many who shared my sentiment for the underdog avant guard jazz musician; responsible for creations with the drive and tenacity to make people either frown, smile or ponder, “Where in life does this music fit for me?” Well, if your ears are open, there is a path that leads straight to the heart. From the first note, the statements were made and court was in session. Judgment day: Kerry, Bush or Ornette Coleman.
You remember the feeling you had earlier this month when you did not know who would win the race. Today, Ornette was on the podium and he communicated with fire and desire for the music to be heard. This was such a total contrast from the first set. World be free was the key with lessons and expressions flowing freely from a trilogy of instruments. The warm up is over and the game is ready to begin!
My hope is that everyone had their big ears on because that is a prerequisite for the message of the music. Now, the music was big, but Ornette was very humble playing it. It flowed with such ease from tenor, violin and trumpet and his presence gave you a feeling of experiencing music as it was some 30 to 40 years ago when jazz was free and the masses sought out the music to understand it. Quite a difference from the modern day imposters who lead the sheep into believing that jazz can be smooth as waves or quiet like a storm. Artistic types wondered while bureaucrats blunder, “Why, That’s Not Jazz”. My question is where did you get your definition of jazz? The definition of jazz comes from listening to the music and yourself, not to what others tell you it should be. Believer or non-believer, the choice is yours.
Ornette is a part of a culture that spoke their own language musically and made their voice be heard, no matter what people thought. Just like back in the day, there are those who hate and those who appreciate. But, one thing that can’t be denied is the powerful energetic passionate expression that took over the walls of the Disney Concert Hall. The players were in a diamond formation with the powerhouse Denardo Coleman, encased behind a sound barrier on drums, playing so fast that sometimes, both of his arms looked like a blur. On the east and west points of the precious stone were two acoustic bass players Greg Cohen workin’ the bow and Tom Falanga plucking the bottom. This concept of two basses is quite a lovely perspective on the music. This is like a play where four stories are going on in different scenarios but, each has a common denominator and they are all related. It can be modal and never ending and then all of a sudden, it’s done. Forget about the resolve. I would not quite call it a symphony but, the music theory can be synonymous. The best of free artistic expression elaborately plotted and planned to make since and not make since at the same time, an oxymoron of jazz music.
Oh yes, they clap politely, but when the time was right it was, “Come on honey, I can’t take any more of this, let’s go”. Yes, that’s right, leave us all thee of little faith and no comprehension, the bedtime hour doth approach rapidly. And off they went in droves. It was quite a sight to see but, just think of all the many years that Ornette has watched this behavior while holding his horn on stage. What must he think and yet, he remains and continues to deliver jazz music because he stands for artistic expression. They are creations from above so it has to be right. What must it feel like to be an icon of the music that is misunderstood by many while loved and respected by the musical minority. Is Jazz the small pond? I would certainly hope not. Well, those who remained cheered extra loud to compensate for those who vacated the premise much too early. It was almost like boiling out the impurities leaving the clean pure refreshing vitamins and minerals for those who appreciate eating right; a healthy dose of music for the soul. Ornette is a cat who has been laying down beauty for years and still seems to be misunderstood. All that really matters is that he continues on his path to reach his destination and that we are still invited to go along for the ride.
I am
such a big fan of the bow. I don’t think that all of the bass players
of the world pull it out often enough. When Greg Cohen and Ornette do a
bass and violin duo, the music takes on a whole new dimension and you
can’t help but be cast in its spell. Does it make sense? YES. These
cats play with a fire, passion and energy that are never ending. Each
piece is like one more addition to a continuous suite of sweet music.
As a grand finally, Charlie Haden comes back and joins Ornette and the
band. Now we have three bass players with Greg and Tom each working the
bow on both sides Charlie. Charlie is the epicenter of the diamond
formation and it is like a
Would you like to know the secret to understanding the music? Well, the secret to getting the intricacies of this music it to open up and let it be exactly what it is! Leave the drama and all of the other frustrations, judgments, relationship and money problems at the door and just except the music with malice towards none. Take the frown off of you face, this is a concept for life. Just think what the world would be like if those same principles were applied to you fellow man! Imagine that. The basis of jazz is to speak your mind, express your emotions and feel the love!
Thank you Ornette, the love was felt!
LeRoy Downs
LeRoy Downs
