Motian/Lovano/Frisell at the Village Vanguard

[LWayne]

Two weeks ago I was in New York for one of the last business trips I will be taking for my company (I am leaving in mid-November) and was fortunate to catch week two of the Paul Motian/ Joe Lovano/ Bill Frisell Trio at the Village Vanguard.

Although I live in Pittsburgh, this has become somewhat of an annual event for me. While this was probably the eighth or ninth time that I have caught this group during their annual Labor Day residency at the Vanguard, I can’t recall enjoying myself more than this last performance. We attended the first set on Tuesday, August 31st, which happened to be the first performance where Joe Lovano was back in the fold. Subbing for Joe the first week were Tony Malaby and Mark Turner, who, reportedly turned in a remarkable performance according to the NY Times Review. Nonetheless, it was great to see the original trio back together.

The trio was in rare form that night. While it was their first set together during the second week, it was obvious that Motian/Lovano/Frisell have an instant chemistry perfected over the years of playing together. Almost a sympathetic ability to launch into a set and instantly coalesce.

The group played a flawless set. While the names of all the songs of the set list escape me, they trio played great versions of “I Wish I Knew”, “Body and Soul”, and, of course, “Drum Music”; their standard song to end of the set. Bill Frisell seemed to focus more on the acoustic range of his guitar and less on special effects than I recall from the past (in keeping with his latest CD “Beautiful Dreamers”), but Joe Lovano’s husky tenor was as powerful and dynamic as ever. As always, Paul Motian kept time in his own idiosyncratic way with the perfect punctuation on brush or cymbal. A sublime set of music!

Is there a better non-piano jazz trio performing today?

Regards,

LWayne

[Lyin' Wolf]

Sounds like a great show. I'm jealous

Edited September 13, 2010 by Lyin' Wolf

[medjuck]

I saw one of the shows with Tony Malaby and Mark Turner and thought it was great though I was unfamiliar with their work until then.

[Guy Berger]

I saw one of the shows with Tony Malaby and Mark Turner and thought it was great though I was unfamiliar with their work until then.

The site-which-must-not-be-named had two or three of these shows up. I haven't listened to them yet.

[medjuck]

I saw one of the shows with Tony Malaby and Mark Turner and thought it was great though I was unfamiliar with their work until then.

The site-which-must-not-be-named had two or three of these shows up. I haven't listened to them yet.

Uhhhh. I don't know what site that is. You can PM if you really can't say it in public. I'd like to hear those.

[skeith]

I saw the same gig on a different night. I agree with your comments. That trio is my favorite jazz group of the ones around today.

[relyles]

I saw one of the shows with Tony Malaby and Mark Turner and thought it was great though I was unfamiliar with their work until then.

The site-which-must-not-be-named had two or three of these shows up. I haven't listened to them yet.

I listened to the first one uploaded and samples of the other two. Excellent recordings and very good music. I think Motian should try to record with this ensemble.

[LWayne]

Cam anyone send me a PM with the link as to the mystery site that has audio clips of the concert?

Thanks,

LWayne

[danasgoodstuff]

I think Motian should try to record with this ensemble

I thought he had, a bunch, or did you mean with the sub sax players?

[relyles]

I think Motian should try to record with this ensemble

I thought he had, a bunch, or did you mean with the sub sax players?

I meant I would be interested in hearing an official recording with the quartet with Malaby, Turner and Frisell.

[medjuck]

Cam anyone send me a PM with the link as to the mystery site that has audio clips of the concert?

Thanks,

LWayne

Me too please.