2 WORDS FOR YOU! HAROLD MABERN

Photo: Steve Mynett

I don't even know where to begin! Last night was so unbelievable. Harold Mabern got sounds out of our piano that no one else ever has. His touch is beautiful and his tone is really unbelievable. If you are not doing anything tonight you have to come and check it out, you just have to. Mike DiRubbo is an amazing alto saxophonist as well and for a guy that has basically spent the better part of two days travelling to get here he played so beautifully. They played Blue Train, Whats New, So What, Edward Lee (Mabes' tune), Rakin and Scrapin (Mabes' tune), Clarity (a great DiRubbo tune based on Giant Steps), To Late Now and a few others that I didn't recognize. Another colossal night at The Cellar.

Strozier Mania

Last Sunday night I was preparing to do my radio show featuring Harold Mabern. I wanted to choose some music that maybe lot of people hadn't heard. I perused my collection and pulled out some great stuff for sure but I came across a find on iTunes of all places that has lit up my world for the last few days. Its a record that was issued on Steeplechase Records and despite doing some extensive research I can't really figure out when it was recorded. It says 1997 which I suppose is possible but getting any kind of info on Strozier is tough. The last I heard he was alive and well but concentrating mostly on playing piano, not alto saxophone. It is definitely a later recording so perhaps 1997 is correct. Its on Steeplechase as I mentioned and the number is SCCD 31420 and the title is "What's Goin' On." The lineup is absolutely fantastic: Louis Hayes (drums, Stafford James (bass), Harold Mabern (piano) the late Danny Moore (trumpet) and of course Frank Strozier (alto sax. I have in many ways been unable to put Mabern's playing characteristics into words but listening to this record pretty much sums it up totally! His comping is driving, swinging, unrelenting, urgent, constant and its clear on this session that Strozier is clearly spurred on by his Memphis counterpart. Strozier is in fine form. His tone is a lot brigher and harsher than that of his earlier recordings but this isn't a bad thing. Its also great to hear Danny Moore who is somewhat of an 'institution' in NYC amongst musicians and he sounds great throughout this CD.
They do a great version of Marvin Gaye's 'Whats Going On' that is just killing! Strozier also flexes his flute chops on the record exhibiting his gorgeous sound and technique. A great record. Check it out at www.jazzloft.com

I just dropped Harold Mabern off at his hotel and got the facts. This record he suspects was done in the early to mid 80's as Strozier quite playing saxophone right after this recording sighting 'bad reeds' as his reason. Strozier is alive and well living in Westchester New York practicing piano!

Long Time No Post

What a whirlwind the last few months has been! Holy cow. Between moving into our condo, getting married and the fast approach of jazz festival its amazing I'm still standing. The jazz festival has been outstanding and although we still have 4 days left I think its safe to say that we have had record attendance this year. Its been truly spectacular which is fantastic. To add to Thai we didn't have the slow down leading up to jazz festival that we usually experience. In fact it wa the complete opposite with sales actually picking up which once again is fantastic! Musically so far its been amazing but what do you expect? The local musicians in this town are wonderful!

Im really really excited about Harold Mabern coming to Vancouver in a few days! Actually he arrives tonight and plays tomorrow and Saturday. I really think Mabes is one of the unsung heroes of post bop piano and continues to nurture some of the finest young talent including alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo with whom he'll be playing with this weekend and tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander with whom he has appeared on over 20 records with. He also carries the torch of musicians from Memphis like Frank Storzier, Phineas Newborn Jr., George Coleman and many more. I interviewed him on my radio show last Monday and am thinking that Brian Nation at www.vancouverjazz.com will post it on their soon!

The club is going down to 4 days a week starting July 5th which is great news as myself and all the staff need a big break for a while. That doesn't mean however that there isn't great music coming up in the next few months: Judy Wexler (great singer from Los Angeles) July 6th / 7th, Ron Small - July 20th / 21st, Miles Black Trio doing a live record on August 3rd / 4th etc. etc. Gonna be some great music! Unfortunately I'm going to miss a bit of it because Im going to be in Mexico with my beautiful wife on our honeymoon. We are heading to Mexico, the Mayan Riviera to be exact and we can't wait to do some serious relaxing. I really understand why people go on honeymoon's right after their wedding. God how I wish we could've done that!

Im hosting a tour of THE HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL from February 10th - 18th, 2008. Im very excited about it as I have never been before. Its gonna be a blast. If you can get the time off and have some money to burn, check it out! www.jazzcuba.com

CHASIN THE TRAIN - June 11th

1. DAYNA STEPHENS - Beginning Of An Endless Happy Monday, THE TIMLESS NOW, CTA RECORDS
2. DAYNA STEPHENS - Smoking Gun, THE TIMLESS NOW, CTA RECORDS
3. DAYNA STEPHENS - Teeth, THE TIMLESS NOW, CTA RECORDS
4. DAYNA STEPHENS - On The Trail, THE TIMLESS NOW, CTA RECORDS
5. DAYNA STEPHENS - Lost And Found, THE TIMLESS NOW, CTA RECORDS
6. DAYNA STEPHENS - Contagious, THE TIMLESS NOW, CTA RECORDS

Dayna Stephens, a saxophonist to watch

Kudos to Downbeat for doing a feature on Brooklyn based tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens. We will definitely be hearing more from this young musician and that’s a very good thing. ‘A Timeless Now’ is a beautiful record from start to finish. It’s rare that I listen to a record more than twice and I’m already on my fourth run through of this one, discovering new things on each listen.

Dayna’s big, robust, yet sweet sound and beautifully melodic lines make you think he is twice his age. He is only 27. After just one listen however you do hear his youthful exuberance but its disguised with so much musical maturity it confuses you. His debut release as a leader is a wonderful collection of originals; a gorgeous reading of 'On The Trail' and an equally gorgeous turn on 'But Beautiful.' Featured throughout the album is young piano phenom Taylor Eigsti who shines on every track. It’s hard to pick a highlight. I particularly enjoy his Rhodes work on 'Teeth' and more specifically the sound he coaxes out of the Rhodes. The rhythm team of bassist Ben Street and Eric Harland are rock solid with the latter turning in some of the more creative drumming on record that I have heard recently. The addition of John Scofiled on the date is no doubt a coup for the young saxophonist but in my opinion is unnecessary. That’s not a dig on Sco but more a compliment to this band being able to stand on its own. Having said that Sco turns in some really swinging solos especially on “On The Trial.” The thing I enjoy most about Sco’s playing on this record is that he for the most part is using a dry guitar sound at least more dry than I have heard in many years.

The one thing that stands out about Stephens' overall performance is his complete focus on making great music and not relying on flashy technique or impressive saxophone tricks. You can hear that his technique is flawless but I re-iterate he keeps 'music' in the forefront of his mind. Its modern jazz but its very rooted, which I think, is missing in a lot of the young players these days.

A highly recommended release! You can check it out on MONDAY, June 11th on CHASIN THE TRAIN, 102.7 CFRO, 11:00 am to Noon.

Check out Dayna Stephens on the web and purchase his 'The Timeless Now' CDBABY