Kimbrough/Anderson/Motian at Jazz Standard

fkimbrough · July 9, 2006

Frank Kimbrough – piano

Jay Anderson – bass

Paul Motian – drums

Celebrating the release of Play, new on Palmetto Records

Wednesday and Thursday, July 12 and 13

Sets at 7:30 and 9:30 - doors open 45 minutes before each set

Music charge $20 – no minimum

Jazz Standard 116 E. 27th St, NYC

Reservations: 212 – 576 – 2232

LWayne · July 18, 2006

Last Thursday, July 13th, while in New York City for business, I treated myself and my colleague to the first set of the Frank Kimbrough Trio at the Jazz Standard. This date was arranged to promote the release of the great new CD “Play” and featured Kimbrough at Piano, Jay Anderson on Bass, and the incomparable Paul Motian on drums.

This was my first time at the venue and I was taken by the warm, inviting, vibe of the club. While the Jazz Standard is a basement venue, similar to the Village Vanguard, it seems friendlier. Particularly impressive was the acoustics of the room that made it very easy to hear the piano, bass, and drums clearly as separate instruments as well as together forming the sound of the group. Sometimes, in clubs, the acoustic bass seems lost in the mix, but the positioning of Jay Anderson towards the front of the stage allowed him a much greater presence and role in the group dynamic.

Frank opened with an inviting, melodic, "Lullabyeblue", the bouncy title track of his previous Palmetto CD and one of my favorite FK songs. Next up was an up-tempo tune from the new CD, “The Spins”, which highlighted the great group interplay between the musicians. The third song “Beginning” was also from the new CD and provided the perfect platform for Kimbrough to demonstrate his trademark touch of elegance with a song.

The next two songs were versions of great standards. Kimbrough’s adaptation of the Victor Herbert classic “Indian Summer” and Paul Motian’s composition “Byablue” provided each musician a chance to stretch out, solo, and show their chops.

The highlight of the set was an extended version of the song “Waiting for Santander” from the new “Play” CD. The harmonically complex song showcased some wonderful group improvisation. Afterwards, Kimbrough entertained the audience with the story of its origin; being written under unfortunate circumstances while waiting for a concert in Santander, Spain. The set closed with a creative version of the classic Rogers & Hart “All the Things You Are” that brought the audience to their feet in applause.

This was truly a great evening and a rare opportunity at catching a remarkable artist and his trio at the top of their game. Concert of the year!

LWayne

:tup