The Walt Disney Concert hall is one of the most fabulous places in Los Angeles to see and hear music. The one thing that you don’t want to do is be late and have to get your experience fulfilled from the monitors in the hallways. Yes, I did start my evening off late but once in my seat, the vibe was right on time!
Charles Lloyd, master saxophonist is currently creating with
the young masterminds of altered rhythmic implications. Jason Moran, Rueben
Rogers and Eric Harland are undoubtedly the truth when it comes to blending,
twisting and delivering the freshest and freest spontaneity and Charles is
definitely lifted up by that kindred spirit.
Tonight is about the beats, the Beats man, the cats who were
slick, are slick and speak the truth to the world through poetic phrases and
often expressing views that pit reality up against the status quo and push the
minds of sheep toward enlightenment. With a narrative that is cool, hip,
straight to the point or perhaps left with much space for self-derivation,
Michael McClure’s lyrics roll over, through, behind or straight ahead with the
music to emphasis poignant perplexions. Deep is the key word as the non-linear
vernacular formulation articulates divided sentiments leaving its recipients
with choice or ignorance.
Images serve as the backdrop for the performance, which presents the audience with a trilogy of stimulation that, may or may not be able to be dissected simultaneously. Usually, when listing to intricate music you take the sound, separate it, pair it with different instruments, bring forth the certain parts while leaving the others in the background and of course listening to all of the colors as a whole. With black and white photographs, a voyeuristic sense separates the images from the stark reality of color and allows you to emote the feelings of the subjects or even replace yourself as the subject or in the scenario. And poetry, especially that which is loaded with a full pallet of socio-political lyricism that engulfs your interests and leaves you formulating opinions is a hard pill to swallow when each artistic expression is so multi-faceted.
I guess it all depends on the level at which you perceive
and how comfortable your knowledgeable is about each of the subjects. Each of
the poets read excerpts of poems they selected from respected poets that they
admire, varying in style of delivery and subject matter. Charles Lloyd, who
vocally recited spiritual poetic blessings, caressed, sculpted and provided
plenty of cerebral space in the sound allowing enough room to take in one or
more of the other sensibilities.
For the second part of the performance, the star-studded stage once again is filled with some of the extraordinary talents we have in jazz music. Christian McBride is joined with Alan Broadbent, Peter Erskin, Joshua Redman and special guest John Handy. Michael McClure shares the lyricism this time with his poetic constituents Exene Cervenka, David Meltzer and vocalist/reader Kurt Elling. Each of the poets flowed over familiar standards delivered with creative elegance, and of course Kurt Elling blends in the story as partial instrument/storyteller himself. An evening of divine interpretation graced with the beauty of jazz, imagery and deep fulfilling resonations of thought!
LeRoy Downs
