It was with some trepidation we walked into the
Sherborn Inn to hear jazz musicians from Berklee and the
Conservatory. We had mixed emotions - happy that Jazz
had replaced Rock on the 4th Tuesday of the month, but concerned
about what kind of jazz was replacing it.
We were all pleasantly surprised. We
listened to Berklee grad, Brad Alderman, on beautiful harmonic piano
with What Is This Thing
Called Love that immediately enticed Dave and Helene up dancing. The
Trio
followed with Bud
Powell's beautiful chromatic melody, Celia.
Heavily influenced by Herbie Hancock, whose music
was often melodic and accessible, Brad Alderman did a beautiful rendition
of Autumn Leaves.
At break time, Brad took a quick break, then sat at the
baby grand piano, softly ruminating on In Your Own Sweet Way.
Tenderly, guitar and piano were like one set of lines
weaving around the other. Two minds in sync.
Alderman played dynamic piano on In a Sentimental Mood &
Misty, trading fours with the guitar. Out of Nowhere
leaned toward more modern jazz.
Berklee's Chris Brown plays imaginative and creative
guitar. He introduced a fine version of Miles's All Blues,
and the Trio followed with a stirring Body and Soul.
There was what sounded like a drummer tapping the
wood block on Sandu.... from the guitar.
Daniel Durham, who is still at the Conservatory, is
a lyrical improviser, and plays clever melodies on his acoustic
sting bass, including a beautiful Stella By Starlight.
Genuinely animated by the music, he often sways
behind the bass,
in time with the rhythm. (Wish we had a video camera!)
On an upbeat tune called Missile, he even slipped in a quick slap
bass.
He says he
learned these songs listening to Charlie Parker, Anita O 'Day, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen
McRae. Not bad company.
We all stayed to the very end, not wanting to miss any of this
fine presentation. Trad fans Rhoda and Marie asked them if they would return, and
they said they would be glad to --- they were pleased to have an
audience who actually really
listened. Ellen McDonald stopped by, and said she would fit
them into the schedule. Sure 'nuff - they'll be back on June 30th.
$20/year would help keep this site on line