Kris Davis Quintet

[Steve Reynolds]

Kris Davis Quintet - Thursday FEB 17th @ The Jazz Gallery, NYC

Kris Davis - piano

Mat Maneri - viola

Ingrid Laubrock - tenor saxophone

Trevor Dunn - bass

Tom Rainey - drums

2 sets - each 45 to 50 minutes of music really nothing like anything I have heard before. Her methods are very different and sometimes oblique - and her piano playing is sometimes subdued, sometimes not, but often she uses repeated figures - often very low or very high register motifs that seem from some sort of altered jazz place.

all new Kris Davis compositions - listed 1 through 6 I think - played as medleys for the most part - the tunes were very oblique at times - although a couple were Andrew Hill like knotty things which seemed like they were impossible to play. Lot's of quiet moments and some explosive tension filled outbursts. My free jazz side wants more of the latter - but maybe the other stuff might be even more rewarding - who knows?

Rainey was wonderful yet restrained save for a little bit towards the end of the second set. My friend heard that and expressed wow wondering where was more of *that* but it was the music he was given - I love Rainey but I LOVE Rainey when he explodes the kit - maybe another time - maybe more that when I see him in a trio with Mary Halvorsen and Laubrock on March 10th - or maybe not - still the sound of surprise, I know that...

Laubrock was masterful whether in high pitched continuous playing or a few times when she played some ripping freeish fast improvisations. Sometimes the tension and softness was close to unbearable but the overall effect was marvelous. Rainey finished the first set with a incredible groove but he seemingly refused to play as loud as I yearned him too!

Mat told me he had played a couple of the tunes before but most of it was new for him - and he nailed all of it - and although he was not able to stretch out within the confines of the music (only drawback) he had some stretches of genius level improvisation which is why he is among the greatest 3 or 4 improvisors alive, IMO. Certain times he again blew my mind and my heart - his ability ot play the softest of soft and the most intense rack like riffs that seemingly come out of thin air astounds my ears every time I see/hear him.

a nigh of music that is resonating still - I listen to quite a bit of jazz/improv and I really don't know what Davis is doing tune wise - but it sure is unique and she had a stellar bad to carry out and deliver her very special music.

now tomorrow more mainstream for me as my wife and I will see the Mingus Big Band at the Jazz Standars - and I really looking forward to hearing the 14 piece unit in full Swing/Groove/Mingusonian mode.

what a life I live today to be free, her music, live music and live this life near NYC with all that is available...

peace and blessings

[Leeway]

I think Kris has been playing mostly with Tony Malaby, but I like the idea of her teaming up with Laubrock, whom I really like. No disrespect to Matt, but I would prefer the group without viola; give more space to Ingrid and Kris.

[Steve Reynolds]

true - I saw Tony Malaby's Novela last year with Kris being the arranger of Malaby's compositions.

the CD on clean feed is quite good.

[Leeway]

true - I saw Tony Malaby's Novela last year with Kris being the arranger of Malaby's compositions.

the CD on clean feed is quite good.

IIRC, Malaby also appears on Kris' New Talent/Fresh Sounds CD.

[CraigP]

Malaby does appear on the FS/NT quartet CD, although I think her concepts weren't fully developed then. Novela is a great album. BTW, Rainey has a new CD out with Laubrock and Halvorson.