Cary Kilner
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Cary Kilner's Picks: Volume 58
Marcus Roberts and Wynton Marsalis – Topic & Delfeayo's Dilemma Here are two links of incredible jazz performances. I have not yet presented Marcus, who is part of the New Orleans jazz crowd. The first link below, Topic, is a tour de force for Elvin Jones, who wields brushes throughout. Note his brief solo at the end, completed by his classic cymbal crash. In the second link, we have a very up-tempo virtuoso performance by a young Wynton just killing it. (Note: Delfeayo is Wynton's trombonist brother.) Typically, such fast tempos can get tedious, but this one is executed so flawlessly one listens in amazement. https://youtu.be/8oW1ZCuJQSo?si=KsA_Pl4bmvYfDKrQ https://youtu.be/poZWg-pVboE Brian Blade & Life Cycles – Full Performance, Live on KEXP Brian, paired with John Patitucci, I consider to be similar in the advancement of rhythm sections as was Elvin and Jimmy Garrison, Scott Lafaro and Paul Motian, Roy Haynes and Miroslav Vitious, but most prominently Ron Carter and Tony Williams. Brian recently had been performing in the Wayne Shorter Quartet, but this link presents his own group’s contribution to the modern jazz genre https://youtu.be/tNTbxLpbpoc?si=ZL2Y3h_pS5r-VO7k Jackie Terrason – Parisian Thoroughfare Terrason has been the pianist in the Wayne Shorter Quartet mentioned above. His approach is very advanced while remaining musical and very accessible with careful listening, as you will hear in this modern approach to this classic Bud Powell bebop tune. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=NO4EEonFxOw Emma Smith – One Week (Barenaked Ladies) (An outrageous video!) You have to watch this video and admire the total courageousness. https://youtu.be/_jzfhpw08i8 Emmet Cohen – KNKX Studio Session This musician continues to impress with his astounding technique welded to great sensitivity and taste. And his regular rhythm section is superlative. https://youtu.be/P9aFWjrhxSo?si=4PKVMRY22t44N74V Jacob Collier – In The Room Where It Happens This is a marvelous documentary, and you will learn even more about this prodigy. I think you’ll love it! https://youtu.be/ERvd5QjupSU?si=3D4dKgqZCXeCVQL_ The Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra – Lullaby of the Leaves This band swings! The extended piano solo makes the recording sound like a trio, not a big-band rhythm section. And it's a gorgeous standard tune not often played. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=1QZccnrw2Ow&si=274zhFwEkFTSxXs6 Billy Childs – The End of Innocence Billy Childs is another very modern pianist presenting a fresh approach. This is a trio treatment. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=6b4TzYM5TQQ&si=f2WE4sCTB_-fyCqR Here is a larger group arrangement. Especially note the pensive and provocative trumpet solo. Listen to how he uses overtones, something I have heard no other trumpet players use in this extended way. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=75yC-gt9rMM&si=zcyLOaR9TgMMVo7q Chester Thompson Trio – New Life Joe Davidian on piano really makes this trio. Chester, too, who I’ve heard in some pure funk contexts as well https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=uNqpX2xzraQ&si=Uco1yGEQelzK4RQA About Cary When Cary was 8 years old he began playing flutophone, then cornet in the high school concert band and began piano lessons. He played in the Michigan State Marching Band and Jazz Band. He abandoned a career as a chemical engineer after college to move to Boston to study jazz piano. There he took lessons with Bob Winter and vocal coach, Eddie Watson, and learned to play electric bass in a trio with Al Vega. Cary has played with Claudio Roditi, Joe Hunt, John Lockwood, Greg Hopkins, and many other Boston musicians from the 1970s, including that cohort of Brazilians who taught him a lot about samba and bossa-nova. In 1980, he moved to the Seacoast to teach chemistry at Exeter High School and PEA Summer School. In 2004, he matriculated to UNH as the first doctoral student in a new program in chemistry education research. Graduating with a Ph.D. in 2014 he did some teaching but is now retired and has returned to practicing the piano. About jazz he writes, "What I like most about playing jazz is how melody, harmony and rhythm interact spontaneously." |
