When you take in a show by the inquisitive creativity and continuous musical exploration of an artist like 73 year old Chick Corea , you can’t help but wonder if he’s discovered either the fountain of youth or the wisdom of Solomon. He and his latest band, The Vigil, are performing some of the most impressive sounds out there on the scene, as displayed with a wide ranging 1 ½ set on the opening night of a week long stint at Catalina’s
Corea’s latest sextet is chock full of explorative musicians, some young enough to be his grandchildren, yet able to mix feisty and passionate solos with alluring and intoxicating grooves. The rhythm team of Marcus Gilmore/dr, Luisito Quintero/perc and Carlitos Del Puerto/b could have easily made grilled vegetables on the stand as they sizzled with a palpable heat on the opening “Fingerprints” and stream of flowing waters during “Royalty.” During these expansive undercurrents, Corea would mix assertive yet lyrical melodies and directions while Charles Altura’s electric guitar provided reflective and elastic solos interspersed with fascinating interlocking themes with Tim Garland’s soprano sax.
The opus of the evening was “Planet Chia” which had Corea weave flamenco sketches on the piano while Moorish themes were developed by Gilmore’s winding soprano. Altura’s Andalusian acoustic guitar dueted with Corea on a jaw dropping delicacy that sounded like two dancers gliding along the nightclub floor to a sensuous groove. An avalanche of drums, timbales and electric bass jammed up some excitement on the next improvisational piece before Corea and company closed the set with a wonderfully boppish “It Could Happen to You” that mixed jazz’s history with its future. Not unlike the leader himself on this satisfying night in Hollywood.
Upcoming shows include Arturo Sandoval Aug 22-23 and Diane Schurr Sept 4-6