JAZZ DRUMMER TARIQ GARDNER AND HIS VERSATILE GROUP THE EVENING STAR, PERFORMS TO SOLD-OUT CROWD AT CLIFF BELL’S

Bandleader & Drummer Tariq Gardner

The jazz drummer Tariq Gardner leads a multi-faceted band called The Evening Star, known for its hard-to-classify style. The Evening Star’s setlist seamlessly blends jazz, funk, and world music, creating an eclectic sound that defies easy categorization. If a classification is warranted, The Evening Star could be called a marvelous, tightly knit group—and that cohesion was clear Saturday evening at Cliff Bell’s in downtown Detroit. From the very first number, the musicians locked into each other's musical psyches, effortlessly moving through tempo changes and improvisational bursts from saxophonist Stephen Grady, Jr. It was the kind of performance where the band’s energy drew in the crowd. The setlist highlighted a diverse range of musical influences, featuring songs from Stevie Wonder, Slum Village, and originals by bandmates pianist Leroy Micken and guitarist Caelin Amin, displaying their creative voices. Although the setlist lacked cohesion, the band more than made up for it with their chemistry and Gardner’s leadership. He guided the group through dynamic shifts, knowing when to lounge in the pocket and when to encourage the musicians out of their comfort zones. As an admirer of Stephen Grady Jr, I was floored by his expressive solos marked by daring phrasing. His improvising felt noticeably freer than in recent performances—he played with greater boldness, and he took more improvisational risks, unexpected melodic twists, and turns. At times, he can be an improvisational conservative, but Gardner has a knack for erasing his bandmates' comfort zones. Watching Gardner push Grady was like witnessing Elvin Jones ignite John Coltrane. The band’s centerpiece and crowd favorite was vocalist Coleman Ward, who did an excellent job, given that Cliff Bell’s acoustics are necessarily vocalist-friendly. Anyway, Coleman, the consummate entertainer, made the best of things by walking through the club while singing. The capacity crowd ate up every lyric. Mentored by master jazz drummers Gaylynn McKinney and Djallo Djakate, Gardner has quickly matured into a versatile and skilled drummer across all genres. My only criticism of Gardner is that he sometimes plays with too much reckless abandon, and while listening to him last night, I briefly wondered if the Detroit jazz community might eventually see him move into the funk genre. Apart from that, Gardner has a talented group that defies easy classification and adeptly moves among different popular genres