Art of Jazz series producer Bruce Eaton prefaced Saturday’s performance by the Dave Liebman Group with an apt quote: “We like to book working bands.” And though that might seem like a no-brainer, it really wasn’t one. In modern jazz, more often than not, musicians are picked up for specific recording projects, one-off dates, or brief tours. The idea of a “great quintet” or a “great quartet” seems almost archaic now, given the rate of turnover in jazz ensembles.
Eaton’s point was spot-on: Improvisational music benefits greatly from a consistency in musical lineup, so that the musicians learn, grow and discover each other over time, thereby getting at the face behind the face of the music.
This was certainly the case on Saturday, as Liebman — a saxophone legend with one of the most deep and diverse resumes in jazz, including tenures with the likes of Miles Davis and Elvin Jones, among many others — led the same group of musicians he has fronted since 1991 through a wild, thrilling set of old, new and timeless music.
Eaton’s point was spot-on: Improvisational music benefits greatly from a consistency in musical lineup, so that the musicians learn, grow and discover each other over time, thereby getting at the face behind the face of the music.
This was certainly the case on Saturday, as Liebman — a saxophone legend with one of the most deep and diverse resumes in jazz, including tenures with the likes of Miles Davis and Elvin Jones, among many others — led the same group of musicians he has fronted since 1991 through a wild, thrilling set of old, new and timeless music.
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