In a Portland Jazz Festival conversation this morning, host Devin Philips asked his fellow saxophonist Kenny Garrett to watch a video of himself and comment on it. The performance was 16 years ago at the Montreux, Switzerland, festival. Pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts were the rhythm section. Garrett and the audience of festival-goers and Portland State University music students watched as he played several dozen choruses of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” Phillips led into the screening by telling Garrett that after he saw the video the first time, “I wanted to crush my horn.”
When his 1997 self had faded to black, Garrett turned back to the packed hall and said, I think I’d better practice more. I was trying to rise above myself. Hopefully, I’ll get there.”
His 2013 quartet will play tonight in a PDX concert that has been sold out for days.
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
Thanks for posting this Doug. A superb and inspired rendition of Giant Steps. I was especially pleased to see it because I’m collecting everything I can find on audio or video of pianist Kenny Kirkland. The more I find, the more impressed I am with his brilliant playing in every situation. Unfortunately because of his early demise we will never know how great he could have become. Garrett was no slouch then either, that’s some of his best playing I’ve ever heard..
Thanks for the video, Doug. Garrett was an artist to watch then, and I’m not quite sure whether he fulfilled what he promised all those years ago. Working in Switzerland at the moment, I’m not able to attend the gig, but I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to report about it.