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Wycliffe Gordon and Friends: Dreams of New Orleans
www.wycliffegordon.com
With:
Wycliffe Gordon on Trombone, Trumpet, and vocals
Jon-Erik Kellso on Trumpet
Adrain Cunningham on Clarinet and Saxophones
Michael Dease on Trombone and Saxophones
Matt Munisteri on Banjo and Guitar
Ibanda Ruhmbika on Tuba
Marion Felder on Drums
At
Frederick P. Rose Hall
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola
Broadway at 60th Street
NY, NY
212.258.9595
(Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola Website)
Roland Chassagne, Manager
Jason Olaine, Director of Programming & Touring
Desmond L. Prass, Asst. Manager
L.A. Thompson, Venue Manager, Great Performances
Scott Thompson, Press
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
November 3, 2012
Wycliffe Gordon and six “friends” began tonight’s second set from inside their dressing room, with muted drama, in New Orleans mood and moment. Gordon brought along Jon-Erik Kellso on trumpet, Adrain Cunningham on clarinet and saxophones, Michael Dease on trombone and saxophones, Matt Munisteri on banjo and guitar, Ibanda Ruhmbika on tuba, and Marion Felder on drums. This was a top notch ensemble that knows its way around bluesy marches. The second piece began in the dressing room, but now the door was open, and the band marched in. The crowd was vocally impressed. What was also impressive was the versatility of this septet, with four of the seven musicians on multiple instruments, not to mention all the primed vocalists. Wycliffe Gordon ebulliently entertained the Club, and the ambiance tonight was casual and improvisational, a very exciting aura. Gordon seized band’s introduction on his fiery trombone, matched by Dease, for a two-trombone conversation, a vibrant antidote to this week’s hurricane hell.
Gordon was celebrating his new CD, “Dreams of New Orleans”, and many tunes in the set gave the audience a glimpse into his much-developed talent. But his first bluesy vocal, from the last CD, “Hello Pops”, was “Basin Street Blues”, sung in fanciful phrases, while Munisteri plucked his stirring banjo on the side. When Gordon took the spotlight back, he added scat to the lyrics to cool it down. Kellso was on trumpet solo, while Gordon was having a great time. “Hello Dolly” was next, and Gordon invited the audience to join along. Munisteri introduced Wycliffe, singing the Louis Armstrong lyrics. This song was filled with generous spirit, bypassing solos for soul. Wycliffe walked to rear stage and lifted an endlessly long didgeridoo, as the band played Juan Tizol’s “Caravan”, popularized by Duke Ellington. Felder was propulsive on solo drums, as he propelled the musical caravan with voluminous momentum. Solos appeared on soprano sax, tuba, and trombone. Ruhmbika’s tuba was especially resonant, with authentic French Quarter vitality. The full brass contingent soared, adding a trumpet and every sax on the stage. Winding, windy refrains brought the house down. Cunningham caught my eye with his low-key, but outsized spirit.
Jack Teagarden’s “Rockin’ Chair” followed with witty vocals, soprano sax, and extra brass. I felt like I was walking along Bourbon Street about 11 PM. “Down by the Riverside” brought back Munisteri on guitar, Kellso on trumpet, and the audience on chorale. Gordon added an a cappella tune next, before the set concluded with a jumping “Tiger Rag”. Everyone got a solo, all around the stage, and Gordon dedicated this stormy blast to Hurricane Sandy, with a wink. Kudos to all.
(l-r) Matt Munisteri, Jon-Erik Kellso,
Wycliffe Gordon, Adrain Cunningham,
Marion Felder, Michael Dease,
Ibanda Ruhmbika
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Adrain Cunningham Featured on Clarinet
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Wycliffe Gordon Featured on Trombone
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Jon-Erik Kellso Featured on Trumpet
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Wycliffe Gordon Featured on Trombone
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Wycliffe Gordon Featured on Didgeridoo
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Michael Dease Featured on Baritone Sax
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Michael Dease Featured on Clarinet
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Wycliffe Gordon and Friends,
Michael Dease Featured on Vocals
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Desmond Prass, Asst. Manager, JALC,
Wycliffe Gordon, & Jonathan Batiste,
Jazz Pianist in the Audience
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Jon-Erik Kellso with Desmond Prass
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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