The Jazzcat

 

Slide Show

 

There is no doubt that when the real Kenny G. stands up, Catalina Bar

and Grill gets packed with jazz lovers who know and understand the true

meaning of integrity in the music. This is the second night of Kenny

Garrett’s run here at Catalina’s and he comes fueled with creativity,

inspiration and a dynamic power that continues to plateaus the list of

alto players of his generation.

 

 

Kenny is known for

having a killer rhythm section that is rich with fierce and vivacious

energy. These cats play with such intensity that drives the music to

another dimension. This is no laid back rhythm section. I see Kenny

every time that he comes to town and I have always known him to have a

hard hitting drummer with a voice and a message that demands to be

heard! Spitting bullets like Al Capone, Ronald Brunner excites as well

as entertains as he drums up an array of powerful polyrhythms, grooves

and a solid foundation for Kenny to cut, dodge, flow, scream and reign

down his supreme sound.

 

 

On bass, Kris Funn was all over it.  He

was throwing down some multi-layered textured chords, rhythmic strums

and perfectly toned harmonics that were so engaging while Carlos

McKinney played some beautiful comps, dropping in his Tynerisms at a

moments notice. The audience roars with excitement after each

intriguing solos. These cats dig into the music as if their life and

reputation were on the line for every note. It is because of this

integrity for the quality of the sound that there is much respect for

this band and their music.

 

 

 

Kenny never keeps

still when he plays. It was hard for me to get some clear shots of him.

He rocks and sways while the most fluid, poignant, prolific and

intensely beautiful notes flow through his alto. You can hear the

homage to the historic lineage of the horn in his sound combined with

the innovation and technical ability that he possesses. The masters

smile as that look down and send their universal love and gracious

approval.

 

 

Serious about the

music and the future of it, Kenny has all of the elements for the

perfect chocolate. The ingredients include a little soul, funk and

hip-hop mixed in with a hard core straight ahead jazz base to make this

recipe a tremendous success.

 

LeRoy Downs