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Todd Barkan’s
Keystone Korner Nights
Presents:
Neal Smith Quintet
www.nealsmithjazz.com
Featuring:
Neal Smith on Drums
Steve Nelson on Vibes
Renee Rosnes on Piano
Dezron Douglas on Bass
Billy Pierce on Saxophone
At
The Iridium
Todd Barkan: Keystone Korner Nights Producer & Host
www.toddbarkan.com
1650 Broadway, Corner of 51st St, NYC
212.582.2121
www.theiridium.com
Chelsea Johnson, Operations Manager
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
May 26, 2013
Click Here to Read a Review of Keystone Korner: Portrait of a Jazz Club
Todd Barkan is now producing a fantastic lineup of top class jazz events at Iridium, on Broadway, called Keystone Korner Nights. Tonight’s dynamic and driven first set, this holiday weekend, brought out Neal Smith on drums, Steve Nelson on vibes, Renee Rosnes on piano, Dezron Douglas on bass, and Billy Pierce on sax. In the first piece, “Simple Pleasures” by Cedar Walton, Mr. Pierce took the lead on sax with Ms. Rosnes in full keyboard swing. Soon Mr. Nelson’s vivacious vibes were in the spotlight, then Mr. Douglas’ earthy bass. This bass solo twisted and fragmented the theme, followed by a sax-drums exchange. This was a well-rehearsed ensemble with a very big sound. The drums enhanced the moment, as a sing-able melody with a danceable rhythm ensued.
Tom Harrell’s “Sail Away” was played next, and here we were treated to a midnight mood. Mr. Pierce’s sax splendidly set the ambiance. Ms. Rosnes, clearly a pro, led each soloist into his refrain. These refrains blended into a harmonious jazz ensemble that sounded orchestral in tonal quality. The quintet’s arrangement of the Harrell work added a shimmering finale sprinkled with vibraphone ornamentations. “A Portrait of You” by Donald Walden began with mellow rambling, in a slow, candlelit dance motif. The sax took the theme to smooth elegance. Piano, vibes, and brushes added background embellishment. Sam Jones’ “One for Amos” followed with bass, brushes, and a touch of piano chords, as the vibes built momentum and the sax took a break. Mr. Douglas completed the theme on a more subdued bass with richness and resonance. But, soon Ms. Rosnes created a burst of tonal thunder up and down the keys. And here, the drums and sax went wild. The encore was Dave Liebman’s “Picadilly Lilly”, filled with compelling flourishes and ambitious solos. Kudos to all.
Dezron Douglas on Bass
Steve Nelson on Vibes
Neal Smith on Drums
at Keystone Korner Nights, Iridium
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Renee Rosnes on Piano
Dezron Douglas on Bass
Steve Nelson on Vibes
at Keystone Korner Nights, Iridium
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Dezron Douglas on Bass
Steve Nelson on Vibes
Neal Smith on Drumsat
Billy Pierce on Sax
Keystone Korner Nights, Iridium
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Renee Rosnes on Piano
Neal Smith on Drums
Steve Nelson on Vibes
Dezron Douglas on Bass
at Keystone Korner Nights, Iridium
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
The Neal Smith Quintet
at Keystone Korner Nights, Iridium
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Todd Barkan, Keystone Korner Nights Producer
Thanks the Musicians and the Audience
at Keystone Korner Nights, Iridium
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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