DETROIT, MICHIGAN-Summing up the modus operandi that seemed to characterise so much of the performances at this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival, one might sagaciously go with the phrase ‘wild abandon.’ Now in its 34th year of existence, the festival still boasts the title of “largest free jazz festival in North America.” Musician Chris Collins in his sophomore effort as artistic director continues to hone his skills in putting together this cumbersome smorgasbord of delights. As such, things continue to evolve and change, some for the better and some for the worse. The theme-based or tribute performances are often a mixed bag and the scheduling of sets in similar genres at the same time continues to frustrate those wishing to see more than a tune or two before whisking off to another venue. Still, what makes this festival work are the varied opportunities to hear working bands stocked with New York’s finest.
From the get-go, Friday night’s opening performances were all about a loose sense of collective exploration. Up first was this year’s artist-in-residence, Danilo Perez Danilo Perez
b.1966
piano , leading an ensemble he calls Panama 500. Joining the pianist were Alex Hargreaves on violin, bassist John Patitucci John Patitucci
b.1959
bass , drummer Adam Cruz Adam Cruz
b.1970
drums , and two percussionists. The music was long on musical probing and short on cohesion. Often when the ensemble seemed to hit its stride, Perez would follow up with a new tangent, taking things in yet another direction. The most remarkable moments came when the groove had time to establish itself, buoyed by conguero Roman Diaz, whose vocal chants provided the ultimate stamp of authenticity.
Leading his big band composed of ten horns and a four-piece rhythm section, saxophonist David Murray David Murray
b.1955
sax, tenor ‘s truncated set began with the communal roar of “Stressology.” Wildly loose and somewhat sloppily performed, the overall effort benefited from the solid bass foundation provided by Jaribu Shahid… Jaribu Shahid…
and the kinetic energy of drummer Nasheet Waits Nasheet Waits
drums . Vocalist Macy Gray’s histrionics are somewhat of an acquired taste and her animated delivery marked the three numbers she performed with the band. Then, in the midst of “Talk About Jesus,” the skies opened and a flash of torrential rains brought a quick end to the evening’s performances, sending droves of listeners scrambling for cover.
Saturday’s schedule included a rarity for this festival, a chunk of time spent at one venue, in this case the Carhartt Amphitheater, with limited stage hopping involved. Renee Rosnes Renee Rosnes
b.1962
piano and Bill Charlap Bill Charlap
b.1966
piano brought their musically satisfying duo to the stage replete with two concert grand pianos. Everything about the presentation was classy, as was an inspired take on Monk’s “Off Minor.” Up next, the Mack Avenue Superband lived up to its moniker, highlighting the compositional talents of its members. Sean Jones Sean Jones
b.1978
trumpet provided the lovely waltz “Mars and Venus” and newcomer Aaron Diehl Aaron Diehl
piano ‘s “Blue Nude” was a fabulous showcase for this immensely talented pianist.
One of the highlights of the festival, the Mack Avenue showcase featured the legendary Gary Burton Gary Burton
b.1943
vibraphone in duet with young phenom Warren Wolf Warren Wolf
b.1979
vibraphone . The pair, on vibes and marimba, coalesced on Wolf’s fine arrangement of the iconic “Senor Mouse.” Another memorable moment from this set would be Kirk Whalum Kirk Whalum
b.1958
saxophone ‘s 5/4 groove on the spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.”
Elsewhere that afternoon, Charles Lloyd Charles Lloyd
b.1938
saxophone and friends, including Bill Frisell Bill Frisell
b.1951
guitar , Reuben Rogers Reuben Rogers
, and Eric Harland Eric Harland
b.1976
drums , played a transcendent set over at the JP Morgan Chase Main Stage. Earlier in the day, pianist Michael Weiss Michael Weiss
b.1958
piano brought his band of New York cats to the Absopure Pyramid Stage where he played his original compositions with the valuable assistance of saxophonist Wayne Escoffery Wayne Escoffery
b.1975
sax, tenor , bassist Ugonna Okegwo Ugonna Okegwo
bass , drummer George Fludas George Fludas
b.1966
drums , and percussionist Daniel Sadownick Daniel Sadownick
percussion . Escoffrey voiced the robust tenor melody for the loping “Power Station,” while Sadownick and Fludas locked in tight for the fast clip of “Orient Express,” a tune somewhat akin to Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.”
As the evening started to wind down, it was time to face the fact that in choosing to see B3 firebrand Tony Monaco Tony Monaco
b.1959
organ, Hammond B3 wrap things up at the Pyramid also meant that there would only be time to hear a few tunes by McCoy Tyner McCoy Tyner
b.1938
piano back at the Amphitheater. Even at the age of 74, Tyner still plays with a molten fire that, in this case, was aided and abetted by bassist Gerald Cannon Gerald Cannon
and drummer Francisco Mela Francisco Mela
drums . By the time special guest Savion Glover made it to the stage, Monaco had already started to heat things up next door. (Allaboutjazz.com)