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Cedar Walton Quintet
Celebrates Todd Barkan’s Birthday
With:
Cedar Walton on Piano
(Walton Web Page)
Steve Turre on Trombone
(Turre Website)
Vincent Herring on Alto and Tenor Sax
(Herring Website)
David Williams on Bass
(Williams Website)
Willie Jones III on Drums
(Jones Website)
After Hours: Ed Cherry Trio
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)
Todd Barkan, Programming Director
Scott Thompson, Press
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
August 13, 2011
Once again Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola was filled with jazz enthusiasts and friends-fans of Programming Director, Todd Barkan. Every August Dizzy’s Club pauses to celebrate Todd’s birthday with a giant cake, tables for special guests, and an extra-exuberant ambiance. Before the second set began, Todd was interviewed by El Diario Media, and presented with gifts, hugs, and lots of well-deserved attention. I had the honor of sitting between Cedar Walton’s wife, Martha, and Lupe O’Farrill, the widow of Chico O’Farrill. Also at our table were Brian Delp, of WBGO Jazz 88, and an ever changing ensemble of musicians and friends. During intermission, I also met up with Duduka Da Fonseca, Maucha Adnet, and Helio Alves, renowned Brazilian jazz artists.
The set began full blast with “Cedar’s Blues”, appropriate for the Cedar Walton Quintet, with sensational swing rhythms. Piano, bass, and drums told the story. This was certainly a party mood happening, as Vincent Herring’s rambunctious sax soared through the Club. When David Williams took the theme on bass, which he often did, the music became languorous, with bass rhythms ebbing and flowing. Willie Jones III kept the momentum propulsive, ending the piece in percussive fireworks.
“Underground Memoirs” opened with David Williams on smooth, expressive bass, an inspiration for the harmonies to come. A highlight of this set was Steve Turre’s superb trombone riffs, sometimes with the enhancement of a mute, making the sound so mellow. But here, the band was like a caravan, steaming ahead, with elegant reverberations. Cedar Walton is mesmerizing to watch at the piano, with poise and focus, never grandstanding, but always in charge. His keyboard solos were seamless, upbeat, and sometimes rapturous. When Vincent Herring was in the spotlight, his solos were sharp and compelling, reaching notes that you didn’t expect. Willie Jones’ next long drum riff closed this meandering piece.
“Lament” was soulfully opened with Cedar at the keys, followed by Steve Turre on bluesy, deep trombone. At one point he climbed the scale with effortless energy, accompanied by piano, drums, and bass. It was hard not to notice Steve Turre’s gorgeous, engraved and etched trombone, a truly classy effect. “On the Trail” featured another bass solo, with David Williams taking out his bow. He created an aura of five basses at once, with textured tones that blended and merged. Before long, Vincent Herring’s sax exuded brilliant, billowy madness, against soft drum effects. Another bass solo added tempo and lyrical lightness, as a bookend to this music. ‘Firm Roots” included a sing-able melody that built in tempo and excitement. It was full of life, like Todd Barkan, a fitting finish to this birthday jazz celebration.
The After Hours set featured the Ed Cherry Trio, with Ed Cherry on guitar, Pat Bianchi on organ, and Pete Van Nostrand on drums. The combinations they fluidly created were lovely listening. Check the Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola Website for future dates and artists.
Todd Barkan is Interviewed Between Sets
by El Diario Media
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Todd Barkan and Ilene Glick Barkan
at Todd's Dizzy's Club Birthday
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Lupe O'Farrill, Widow of Chico O'Farrill
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Todd Barkan Greets the Guests
Cedar Walton on Piano,
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cedar Walton Quintet
by El Diario Media
Steve Turre on Trombone,
Vincent Herring on Sax,
David Williams on Bass,
Willie Jones III on Drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cedar Walton on Piano
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cedar Walton on Piano,
Steve Turre on Trombone
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Vincent Herring on Sax,
Willie Jones III on Drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
David Williams on Bass
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Willie Jones III on Drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cedar Walton on Piano,
Steve Turre on Trombone,
David Williams on Bass
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Willie Jones III on Drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Vincent Herring on Sax
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cedar Walton on Piano,
Steve Turre on Trombone
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Michael Dease, Helio Alves,
Maucha Adnet, Duduka Da Fonseca,
at Leisure at Todd Barkan's Party
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Ed Cherry Trio
Ed Cherry Guitar,
Pat Bianchi, Organ,
Pete Van Nostrand, Drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Ed Cherry Guitar,
Pat Bianchi, Organ
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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