THE XAVIER DAVIS NEW YORK JAZZ QUARTET OPENS THE MIDTOWN JAZZ CRAWL AT THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS.

 

Pianist Xavier Davis

The Midtown Jazz Crawl, presented by the Carr Center, exemplifies the organization’s commitment to outstanding jazz programming. The first event in 2022 featured top jazz musicians, including Tia Fuller, Camelle Thurman, Keyon Harrold, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Jazzmeia Horn. Due to budget reductions, this year's crawl—taking place at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Cathedral of St. Paul—is less star-heavy compared to its debut. Nevertheless, the opening performance by the Xavier Davis Quartet on Friday evening in the Rivera Court at the Detroit Institute of Arts was exceptional. The quartet performed material from his discography and from the works of well-regarded Detroit icons such as Pepper Adams and Tommy Flanagan. Davis introduced saxophonist Greg Tardy, drummer Quincy Davis, and bassist Vincente Archer by joking that he might call the group the Professors of Jazz, as each member teaches at a prominent university. Davis himself is a Jazz Piano professor at Michigan State University. The 90-minute performance felt like a graduate seminar exploring every nook and cranny of acoustic jazz. No fanfare or unnecessary grandstanding—just four adult jazz musicians cooking. This jazz quartet is about as excellent as you could hope for in a straight-ahead. group. Davis never clarified when the band got together or how long they had been performing as a group. If I had to guess, I would say as long as established other powerhouse jazz outfits like the Branford Marsalis Quartet and the James Carter Trio. Davis opened with "Plan Unknown” from his first album. Tardy, who established a solid reputation in the late 1990s alongside notable musicians such as Roy Hargrove, Mark Shim, Christian McBride, and Jason Moran, truly made an impact several choruses in, wolfing down the chord changes like snack cakes. Tardy’s tone was arresting but never too aggressive, which perfectly fits Davis’s sophisticated and thoughtful brand of piano playing. It’s so pleasing to hear a jazz pianist like Davis treat the piano with such care and reverence, as do pianists Kenny Barron and Eric Reed. Davis never whips and bangs the piano like some nut working out his aggression. On “Quiet Corner” and “Dance of Life,” Davis’s fingers melt over the keys. He surrounds himself with like-minded chops like his brother Quincy Davis, an undemonstrative drummer who never gets in the way or attempts to divert the audience’s attention to himself. Midway through the set, Davis confessed that he struggles with assembling setlists. I found that hard to believe, given the unified beauty of each composition the quartet performed.

JAZZ BASSIST NOAH JACKSON CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF ‘FULL CIRCLE’ AT CLIFF BELL’S

Bassist Noah Jackson

I first met jazz bassist Noah Jackson when he played in the DSO Civic Jazz Orchestra as a teenager, and his outgoing nature and talent convinced me he'd become a prominent figure in jazz. After graduating from Michigan State University and earning a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music, Jackson rose to fame by touring with noted jazz musicians such as Abdullah Ibraham, Branford Marsalis, and Kenny Garrett. He also became a respected bandleader. On Saturday evening, Jackson and Full Circle celebrated the release of their new self-titled album. During the first 90-minute set, they played only two tracks from the album, instead focusing on standards like “Jeanine,” “Along Came Betty,” and “Embraceable You,” with Jackson surprising the audience by singing. The ensemble began with Jackson’s “Centrifuge” and concluded with “Hope Comes with Morning.” With a modern post-bop style, Jackson’s group appeals to younger listeners by reinventing standards. The show spotlighted saxophonist Stephen Grady Jr. and trumpeter Dwight Adams, whose solos were crowd favorites. Adams has crafted an immediately recognizable sound that’s both old-school and youthful. He gets to the point instead of being a note-monger. Jackson was right in introducing Adams as Detroit jazz royalty. Most of the set, Adams dwelled brilliantly in the upper register of the trumpet, and on the opener “Centrifuge", he almost blew the linen off the tables in front of the stage. There was some fine playing from the rising piano sensation, Brendon Davis, a key role player of the ensemble. Davis infused it with needed youthfulness and energy, and pro drummer Nate Winn, the one member who kept the set focused. It’s worth noting that Cliff Bell’s is no longer the noisiest jazz club in Detroit. I’m not sure if the club management has implemented a no-talking policy during the performances or if Jackson and Full Circle had the audience so completely engrossed. I’m confident it was the latter.

 

IMMANUEL WILKINS, GRAMMY-NOMINATED SAXOPHONIST, MAKES HIS BLUE LLAMA DEBUT

 

Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins

It’s such a pleasure to hear a young jazz musician whose influences are instantly recognizable after he or she plays a note or two. That’s how I felt Saturday evening listening to the alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins perform with his quartet at the Blue Llama jazz club in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan. A Juilliard graduate, a Grammy-nominee, and a Blue Note artist, Wilkins performed at the Blue Llama for the first time, and it didn’t take long for his quartet to win over the packed club. The quartet is unflashy and woven tightly, featuring bassist Ryoma Takkenaga, drummer Kweku Sumbry, and pianist Micah Thomas. From the opening number, it was apparent that Wilkins had spent considerable man-hours dissecting the licks and mechanics of saxophonists James Spaulding and James Carter. Wilkins embodies Spaulding’s completeness and vast tone and Carter’s fearlessness and command of every inch of the saxophone. Throughout the 90-minute set, the quartet performed original compositions—though Wilkins never announced any title, which was disappointing. But it was an easy flaw to forgive, given how inviting the music presented was. He showcased his range with brisk, fast-tempo numbers, slow grooves, and even an avant-garde-leaning number. The standout for me was a ballad, which he approached with such warmth and tenderness that his saxophone seemed to melt in his hand. What I admire most about his quartet is their sure-footedness. They get to the point without taking any shortcuts. Wilkins is a fantastic saxophonist who truly deserves all the press he’s received since hitting the jazz scene. Yet, if there’s one noticeable weakness in his game, it’s his lack of stagecraft—an area in need of immediate attention. Engaging the audience between numbers and explaining the genesis of his compositions would be an excellent starting point.

THE DETROIT JAZZ PRESERVATION CONCERT SERIES FINALLY CELEBRATES ITS FOUNDER, TROMBONIST VINCENT CHANDLER

Trombonist Vincent Chandler

After three years of outstanding programming, Trombonist Vincent Chandler, the founder of the Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series, finally took the stage himself with a concert celebrating his own music. The 90-minute concert featured nine of his lesser-performed compositions, such as “Transformers,” “Hidden in Plain Sight,” and “Praying Hands.” His compositions are multidimensional and demanding, and you must be an exceptional musician to play them, his wife, opera vocalist Kimwana Doner-Chandler, stressed, while introducing him. Unfortunately, he decided against including some of his signature works like “The Beast,” “Deciduous,” and “Embraceable,” gems that surely many attendees were hoping to hear. He also didn’t invite any of his former Urban Transport bandmates, Sean Dobbins, Dean Moore, and Josef Deas, musicians who were next to him when he built his chops brick by brick, to join him. Chandler performed with his current group, which includes saxophonist Kasan Belgrave, pianist Jordan Anderson, drummer Tariq Gardner, bassist Michael Abbo, and guitarist Max Bowen. This group differs significantly from many of the other straight-ahead acoustic bands Chandler has traditionally led. This new ensemble leans strongly toward fusion and smooth jazz. I tried to understand why, at this point in his career, he chose this direction. Of all the bands I’ve seen him lead, this one resonates the least with me, mainly because fusion and smooth jazz are so far removed from the music that originally drew me to him. For the first time in the history of this remarkable concert series, I left wondering if we would lose Chandler to these weaker forms of jazz. I left the previous tribute concerts he organized feeling inspired. Days passed before I could stop thinking about the performances. Over the years, I have honestly and proudly written about his music and his contribution to Detroit’s vibrant jazz culture. His monthly concert series has been one of the brightest developments in Detroit’s jazz scene in a long time. My discomfort with his new direction isn’t due to any shortcomings on his part but stems from my own long-standing dislike of fusion and smooth jazz. That’s not his fault. He’s been a hero of sorts to me, a musician whose work ethic and the beauty of his playing reaffirm my commitment to acoustic jazz. Still, that’s what made Sunday night’s performance seem so off-putting. The concert opened with “The Professor,” and I quickly sensed something was different. His trombone tone sounded processed, as if there were a sound system issue. Only later did he tell the audience that he’d bought a new device that expands the sonic possibilities of the instrument. The group moved through “Reverie,” “Lion King,” and “The Journey,” the latter sung magnificently by Chandler’s wife. “Reverie” embodied the complexity of compositions by McCoy Tyner and Wayne Shorter. There were some standout moments from Bowen and Belgrave. Especially, Belgrave, whose blowing demonstrated an old-soul strength and intensity that far exceeded his age. Anderson is typically a rock-solid pianist, but he reduced himself to a lot of unnecessary horseplay on the electric keyboard. The concert wasn’t poor by any means, but it didn’t quite feel like a tribute. Instead, it seemed as if Chandler was giving his fascination with fusion and smooth jazz a test run. Here's the truth that I struggle with often: I find it hard to watch jazz musicians I admire drift away from the music that shaped their cultural identity. As a long-time fan of Chandler’s music and cultural significance, I can only hope that his venture into fusion and smooth jazz is short-lived.

 

TERENCE BLANCHARD AND RAVI COLTRANE CELEBRATE MILE DAVIS AND JOHN COLTRANE’S CENTENNIAL AT THE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY CONCERT SERIES

 

Terence Blanchard and Ravi Coltrane

On Sunday afternoon at Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus, a terrific concert commemorated the 100th birthday of jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The event featured trumpeter Terence Blanchard, his band the E-Collective, and special guest Ravi Coltrane. Before the performance began, Blanchard addressed the near-capacity audience, explaining that the music he selected for the band to perform would not mirror the original arrangements. Instead, he intended to honor Davis and Coltrane’s legacy by performing new arrangements and staying true to his and Ravi’s artistic voice — a principle Davis had implored Blanchard to follow decades earlier. Blanchard’s words set the tone for the concert, preparing the audience for interpretations that resuscitated the originals. The concert opened with an extended, reimagined version of “Flamenco Sketches,” followed by an electronically tinged take on “Green Dolphin Street.” The band’s innovative take on the opening selections made it clear that modernizing the arrangements was the right choice. Both Blanchard and Coltrane delivered breathtaking solos, moving through the changes like snowplows. Blanchard and Coltrane got top billing, but the scene stealer was the E-Collective’s pianist, who raced up and down the piano like a madman with a style and enthusiasm like pianist Joey Caldarazzo. Despite the musical excellence, it was disappointing that Blanchard never discussed the musical relationship between Davis and Coltrane, or how their collaboration helped shape jazz. Equally disappointing was that Coltrane did not share personal reflections about his father. Coltrane did not speak at all during the concert. The performance continued with a funk-inspired reinterpretation of “All of You.” The concert’s highlight came when Blanchard paired “All Blues” with “Teo.” To close the evening, Blanchard completely renovated “Two Bass Hit,” noting that it was the band’s first time performing this arrangement. Sunday’s concert was a big hit, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish through modernized arrangements. Blanchard and Coltrane honored the spirit of these jazz icons without attempting to emulate their style. Although the absence of spoken tributes left some questions unanswered, the music itself served as a heartfelt celebration.

THE JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER WITH WYNTON MARSALIS PERFORMS ‘DUKE IN AFRICA’ AT THE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY CONCERT SERIES

 

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis

What makes the annual Jazz at Lincoln Center concert with Wynton Marsalis, presented by the University Music Society, worth attending each season is that each performance is unique. That has been my experience over the two decades I've reviewed the shows. On Saturday, the orchestra returned with a program titled "Duke in Africa," once again demonstrating its mastery of Ellington’s canon. For 90 minutes, the JLCO highlighted its collective virtuosity, dedicating the first half to Ellington's “Togo Brava Suite” and the second half to his “Liberian Suite.” What stood out most in each interpretation of Ellington’s music was the soloing. Before the music started, Marsalis passed the reins to the co-music directors' saxophonists, Alexa Tarantino and Chris Lewis. Tarantino, one of the youngest musicians in the orchestra, spoke about the orchestra’s tour of Africa, its collaborations with noted African jazz musicians, and how this presentation of “Duke in Africa” would be mixed with music from those collaborations. Those compositions warmed the audience, but it was Ellington’s music that stirred their souls. Tarantino and baritone saxophonist Paul Nedzela delivered the first memorable solos on “Soul Flute,” followed by Dan Nimmer, who made his piano float on “Conscious.” But the solo that almost caused a riot inside Hill Auditorium was Lewis on “Naturally.” Trombonist Chris Crenshaw and trumpeter Marcus Printup dazzled when the zoom lens was focused on them. The crowd ate up the changes the musicians played like a hardy holiday brunch. Surprisingly, Marsalis didn’t make too much noise. He appeared content, minding his business in the trumpet section. Recently, Marsalis announced that he was stepping down as the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. So, I wondered if he also plans to leave the trumpet section. Anyway, the orchestra was in strong form, managing Ellington’s music with the reverence his legacy deserves. 

SAXOPHONIST MARCUS ELLIOT KILLS AT THE DETROIT JAZZ PRESERVATION CONCERT SERIES

Saxophonist Marcus Elliot

I was surprised when trombonist Vincent Chandler, founder of the Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series, announced last month, following the tribute to the late pianist Harold McKinney, that saxophonists Kasan Belgrave and Marcus Elliot would be featured next. This decision was surprising, not because of any absence of genuine talent, but because neither artist has yet developed an extensive body of work as previous honorees in the series have. Chandler explained that Detroit's young jazz musicians are producing great music and deserve recognition. On Sunday evening, Elliot delivered one of DJPCS's best concerts, proving that Chandler's move to spotlight younger composers was wise. Belgrave and Elliot have graduated with high honors from the young lion stage of their development. They are respected and popular members of Detroit’s jazz community. Their respective performances have been DJPCS’s largest turnouts. Elliot’s quintet featured trumpeter Dwight Adams, pianist Cormac Avila, bassist Noah Jackson, and drummer Caleb Robinson. They opened with Elliot’s hot. “Hills of Pinar del Rio,” with Adams and Elliot setting the tone for the elevated level of swing maintained all evening. Adams swung with the top down throughout the concert, a perfect complement to Elliot’s luminous blowing. In terms of swing, the quintet was evenly matched, but Elliot was the centerpiece. I met him years ago during his tenure at the jazz club Cliff Bell’s. I was drawn to his blowing because he’d clearly modeled his tenor sax approach on greats like Joe Henderson and Jimmy Forrest. Over the years, every time I attended one of Elliot’s sets, I was amazed at how his sound continued to mature. At Sunday’s show, his compositional skills were the focal point. His compositions show depth, allowing space for unbridled improvising, a defining aspect of his performance. On his original like “Words for the People,” “Learning to Remember,” and “On a Good Day,” he consistently showed his improvisational marksmanship. During certain solos, his blowing was akin to a youthful Yusef Lateef, and at other moments, Elliot stirred the spirit of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Big contributions were also made by Avila, a recent Michigan State University graduate, and Robinson, the quintet’s secret weapon. Chandler’s decision to celebrate Belgrave and Elliot proved to be a smart addition to an already world-class concert series.