Unfortunately, I did not have
one of those golden tickets to the sold out performances at Yoshis but, I
showed up to anyway and was able to acquire one. Traveling up to the Bay area
specifically to see jazz music is one of my favorite adventures because there
is always such musical treasure at the end of my rainbow.
Joined with the son of Trane,
the brightest rising virtuosic star on bass, and an incredible percussive
machine on drums, McCoy along with Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spaulding and
Francisco Mela proceed to get into the heart of many McCoy Tyner classics.
This is not the 60’s, the
room is not filled with smoke and drink and the audience etiquette has changed
into more of a listening experience as we are no longer living on the cutting
edge of brand new compositions. The Tyner experience has shifted from
thunderous levitation of erupting blocks of color to the more subtle wisdom and
mastery of sound that is uniquely and undeniably classic McCoy. Supported by
the creative strength of young powerhouses, classics like “Fly Like the Wind”,
“Blues on the Corner” and “Angelina” are just a few compositions the band
delivers, with each member of course, expressing their take on the music
through seductive solos and pious resonations.
“Distinctly McCoy” is a
phrase that represents a force in jazz like no other. Certain chords
progressions and melodic lines have influenced generations of listeners and musicians
alike to recognize, admire and adore that signature sound which continues to
emanate through one source. Maybe not quite as earth shattering as in earlier
years but just as potent and rich with a prism of powerful flavors. With this
particular band, the rhythm lays out the ferociousness of the core while Ravi
shapes and caresses with tender phrasing.
What must it be like to look up from the piano and gaze upon the likeness and sound of an old friend; a spirited kinship that connects the music from past to present. Life always has its share of circumstances, peculiar, funny or what have you but with music, they always contribute to creative spontaneity at a “Moments Notice”.
Esperanza is a worker and her
solo gets overwhelming approval from everyone including the enthusiastic female
contingency that adorn her youth, beauty, virtuosity and superior musical
intellect with an encouraging shout of “Go Head Girl”!
Francisco marches to his own
beat and so do we as he keeps his loving eye on McCoy. The characteristic
happiness of this wonderful human being exudes through his instrument and we
feel his percussive language embodied in the sound.
The crowd goes from elation
at the end of a tune to quiet as a mouse when McCoy performs a solo
composition. Each of these notes, chords structures and melodic runs holds the
most precious meaning as a wonderful and extraordinary lifetime of virtuosity
continues to carry us to our next destination. Turn back and look behind to see
a long road of notes that have led us to this exact moment and place. These
cats may play every night but our perception, perspectives and energies feed
the music and in return we are blessed with the sound that comes back to us; a
self fulfilling prophecy!
The music of McCoy Tyner has a
way of capturing you and keeping you suspended until resolution. It is a warm
grip that keeps the body still and the mind quiet while you absorb each and
every delectable delicacy. McCoy has been giving these gifts for decades and in
2010, he proves to be just as generous and gracious.
The world is unique in that
each day we are blessed with little pleasant gifts that have given us purpose,
meaning and add to the cumulative happiness of our existence. They are the
threads that weave the fabric of our creative consciousness and weather we play
or get played for, these sounds help formulate our opinions about life and love
and are responsible in part for our choices. Jazz is always the best choice and
as long as we are humbled and honored by the genius of the McCoy Tyner’s of the
world, we will continue our “Search for Peace”!
LeRoy Downs
