Haynes Seen!

With such a line-up, as well as the theme and repertoire for the concert, the drummer’s rare presentation in South Florida was expected as a prospective unforgettable moment in the area’s jazz lore. Haynes manages as a musician, even in the ever-evolving threshold of advanced age, to stay equitable to the projected musical tasks facing them with equal skill, honored reputation, incisiveness, timeliness, and taste. Having the piano idiosyncrasy of Kikoski, the endless bottom of Burno, added to Garrett and Payton’s distinguishing marks, fills the imagination with deep and happy jazzy dreams. Most, albeit not all, encompassed sundry fulfillments at various -somewhat constant- levels.
At times, however, the evening’s performance felt analogous to a stereotypical smoky jazz dive. Given the spacious venue, during such moments the backend of the playing sounded smallish and timid given the players at hand. Towards the end of the two set concert, it would seem that both audience and players were anticipating the closing stages. There were brief, albeit dragging segments at the end.

The jazz meat and potatoes, nonetheless, were served throughout the rest of a memorable evening. The most enthusiastic response of the night came upon a Payton divinely honed ballad treatment. Strongly sweet, swinging, felt and expressed, his lines were timed just right, filled with sayings of romance on the harmonic palette and rhythmic melodious underpinnings, which clearly elicited the audience’s approval. Throughout the rest of the night, Payton had his moments too, albeit his reputation in some quarters might very well be open to critical interpretation. He and Garrett, as well as Hayne’s himself, were the lighting rods of the evening. Garrett, no stranger to recognition in the industry and the public, was excellent although his capacity to address a true collective experience at a superior next level was amiss. Haynes remains as driving, challenging and deep as ever, and the audience seemed a bit perplexed by the distinctive piano voice throughout the evening. Burno’s anchoring, support and drive, were quite notable nonetheless.

Charlie Parker’s legacy and Haynes’ place within it were honored on that evening...

Nuff’ said... Right?

A review at AAJ of Birds of a Feather .
Another review at AAJ of Birds of a Feather .
AAJ Interview of Roy Haynes .

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