On the Amtrak riding through beautiful upstate NY back to NYC from Montreal. Jazz Fest 2014- wow! Some highlights: definitely Jack deJohnette's trio with Ravi Coltrane and Matthew Garrison. So interesting, too, to see the two sons of two members of Trane's iconic 1960's quartet playing together in this trio.
Interesting, too, that Ravi plays tenor like John Coltrane did, and Matthew plays bass, like his father, Jimmy Garrison; however, they both have their own definitive voice and their own take on their respective instruments. They are both fantastic artists in their own right, not to mention Jack deJohnette, who continues to bring mastery, precision and finesse to the drums - and the piano!
Also loved the Randy Weston and Billy Harper duo. They opened up with a fantastically fresh and inventive "Little Niles," then followed it up with an extended deconstruction/reconstruction of "Hi-Fly", and that was just for starters. As always, Randy Weston is not only a master of the piano, he is also a raconteur, educator, cultural anthropologist and ethnomusicologist all in one and not necessarily in that order. What a life - he makes 88 years young look amazing.
Montreal is an amazing little city that I fall in love with more and more every year. We always have fun exploring the city and finding some good eats. Indian food at Darbar was the bomb; the BEST Naan! Came back for a second year in a row for the soup dumplings at Qing Hua Chinatown. Shrimp/pork/leek - half steamed, half fried (can't decide which one is better.) Looking forward to next year.
Also loved the Randy Weston and Billy Harper duo. They opened up with a fantastically fresh and inventive "Little Niles," then followed it up with an extended deconstruction/reconstruction of "Hi-Fly", and that was just for starters. As always, Randy Weston is not only a master of the piano, he is also a raconteur, educator, cultural anthropologist and ethnomusicologist all in one and not necessarily in that order. What a life - he makes 88 years young look amazing.
Montreal is an amazing little city that I fall in love with more and more every year. We always have fun exploring the city and finding some good eats. Indian food at Darbar was the bomb; the BEST Naan! Came back for a second year in a row for the soup dumplings at Qing Hua Chinatown. Shrimp/pork/leek - half steamed, half fried (can't decide which one is better.) Looking forward to next year.