HARPIST BRANDEE YOUNGER STEALS THE SHOW AT THE CARR CENTER'S GREAT JAZZ WOMEN FROM DETROIT TRIBUTE CONCERT

Harpist Brandee Younger

I've been reviewing live jazz concerts for 20-plus years. I must confess that Saturday evening at the Carr Center was my first time experiencing a jazz harpist. New York-based Brandee Younger is the harpist. She's a Grammy nominee, has six albums available, and cites Detroit harpist Dorothy Ashby as an influence. After experiencing Younger, I also must admit my ears will never be the same. She was a featured guest at the Great Jazz Women of Detroit concert, a celebration of trailblazers, pianists Alice Coltrane and Geri Allen, vocalists Betty Carter and Sheila Jordan, and harpist Dorothy Ashby. The 90-minute performance was part of the Carr Center's 30th anniversary, and the band pianist Marc Cary, bassist Rahsaan Carter, and saxophonist JD Allen was assembled by the Carr Center's artistic director, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. The band opened with Swamini, a composition the late pianist Geri Allen wrote for Alice Coltrane. The band stirred up the audience's senses with that number. Then Carrington introduced Younger. Younger and the band stretched out on Coltrane's the Blue Nile, Turiya and Ramakrishna, and Ashby's Games. Younger's soloing was imbued with such pure grace it appeared as if Ashby's spirit set next to Younger, instructing her on what notes to play. There were many praiseworthy moments, like when the band left Younger and vocalist Jazzmeia Horn alone on stage to have fun with Stevie Wonder's If It's Magic. Horn's voice melted all over Younger's harp. Younger received the most applause. Horn is an eclectic vocalist. She's been likened to Betty Carter. Horn was erratic throughout the concert. She did more scatting, humming, and yelling than singing. The Carr Center likes to put on tribute concerts, and a few of them, like the one for Stevie Wonder, have some overkill. Thanks to Younger, the Great Jazz Women of Detroit program was sufficiently satisfying.