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Cedar Walton Quartet
Celebrates Todd Barkan’s Birthday
With:
Cedar Walton on Piano
(Walton Web Page)
Vincent Herring on Alto Sax
(Herring Website)
David Williams on Bass
(Williams Website)
Willie Jones III on Drums
(Jones Website)
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 12, 2012
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. Also, once again, Cedar Walton returned to serenade this event, this time with a Quartet of artists, with Walton on piano, Vincent Herring on alto sax, David Williams on bass, and Willie Jones, III on drums. Numerous friends of Todd and friends of the musicians were in the audience and recognized from the stage.
I arrived early-set amidst a marvelous piano riff from Cedar Walton, with an enchanting, smooth melody, followed by a rousing drum riff from Willie Jones, with its compelling pulse. It resembled a fast moving march, with intertwining tonalities. A swooning ballad followed, and then we were treated to Stevie Wonder’s “Another Star”, a song he released in the 70’s. Vincent Herring was featured here on alto sax, and he is fast becoming one of my favorite jazz artists. He exudes calm confidence, walking offstage, when at leisure in a song, to allow other band members to be fully seen. The music proceeded with pulse and propulsion, aided by David Williams, who, like each Quartet artist, had his own spotlighted riff. Williams is an understated, but vibrant bass player. Willie Jones’ riff had astounding sharpness and verve. Cake was served all around, in honor of Todd Barkan’s annual tribute.
Cedar Walton Quartet
Cedar Walton on piano,
Vincent Herring on alto sax,
David Williams on bass
Willie Jones III on drums
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Cedar Walton, Vincent Herring,
David Williams
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
David Williams and Willie Jones III
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
The Cedar Walton Quartet
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Todd Barkan, Dizzy's Programming Director,
with Jimmy Cobb, renowned drummer - jazz artist
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Todd Barkan and Desmond Prass, Asst. Manager,
Dizzy's Club "Coca-Cola"
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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