Home » Jazz Articles » Live Review » Miguel Zenon Quartet at 36th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival

9

Miguel Zenon Quartet at 36th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival

By

Sign in to view read count
Miguel Zenon Quartet
Millenium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion
36th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival
Chicago, IL
August 31st 2014

The last evening of the festival was pleasantly warm and mild and the millennium park, around the Jay Pritzker Pavilion band shell was packed with people. The Frank Gehry designed signature stainless steel headdress with its custom designed sound system to replicate impeccable indoor acoustics has been the new home of the festival for the past two years. It is here that that alto saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón lead his quartet for 55 awe inspiring minutes in front of the giant simulcast screen.

Zenón played three pieces from his ninth album as a leader Identities are Changeable due on November 4th 2014 on Miel Music. Pianist Luis Perdomo's energetic and intriguing rhythmic vamps opened the modal "Through Culture and Tradition." Zenón's acerbic, wailing saxophone built a complex, agile and melodic improvisation that boiled with passion and glided with lithe elegance. Perdomo's own solo featured intricately woven, blues tinged lines that cascaded over bass and drums' rock solid support.

On the mellifluous yet subtly mordant "Same Fight" the rhythm trio's rumbling refrains set an expectant mood that buoyed Zenón's serpentine, lyrical yet restive flight of spontaneity. Perdomo's flowing chords brought a deep sense of impressionistic romanticism while bassist Hans Glawischnig's tense and thrilling dexterity added a crisp athletic edge to the tune.

Zenón closed the set with a display of breathtaking acrobatics as he climbed up and down scale with impeccable virtuosity, crisp alacrity and plenty of soul. The piece also shed the spotlight on drummer Eric Doob's fiery, electrifying polyrhythms as he handled his kit with raw dynamism and sophisticated vigor.

The audience, who had been a bit restless just before the concert, as they fetched food, drinks and other concessions, was mesmerized at its conclusion as they burst into emphatic applause. If this captivating show was any indication Identities are Changeable promises to be a provocative and enthralling disc.

Comments

Tags

Concerts

May 4 Sat
May 7 Tue
Even Odds
Solar Myth
Philadelphia, PA

For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.