Stefon Harris steps up to the mic in front of the enthusiastic crowd at Zipper Hall and sets the theme of the evening by saying “Let’s call tonight a ‘stretch opportunity.’ We’re here to trust each other and let the music flow.”
And flow it did, as empathy, enthusiasm and symbiotic servitude was in abundance with Harris’ team of John Clayton/b and Jonathan Pinson/dr weaved through a seamless set that weaved standards and originals like a Raphael tapestry. Like wind breezing though chimes , sounds were evoked on the opening “I Loves You Porgy” that glistened and resonated on Harris’ vibes through your spinal column. Just as Clayton and Pinson oozed forth gentle purrs of rhythm on this tune, Harris popped the clutch into third with a couple hard hits with the mallots on vibes and marimba and slid into an incessant rivulet of hard bop on “Moanin’”that had the trio going back and forth like a 6-4-3 double play. Continuing the opus, Harris and Pinson snapped out a ricocheting read of “Bemsha Swing” that double exposured with a kinetic “Caravan” that had Clayton relentlessly picking, tweaking and slapping his bass even though besieged by a broken foot. From there, the wave slowly waned with only Harris left to ring out a shimmering take of “Stardust” while bass and drums daintily tiptoed through the tulips in a return to accompaniment.
Continuing in the mood of improvisation, Clayton brought up and passed out a brand new piece of written music, completely unrehearsed and without even time signatures. Moods ranging from dreamy pensivity to bluesy delight were pulled and tugged like Salt Water Taffy, with the playful direction ending in a celebratory rhumba. Finally, Harris delivered an aria take of “Soul Eyes” that segued into a reading of joyfully “Bye Bye Blackbird” that had Clayton’s bass snapping like a locker room towel while vibes and drums fired off shots akin to Saturday afternoon at the shooting range. The spirit of joyful improvisation, trust and virtuosity all combined with this trio of stars that were well aligned this Friday in the City of the Angels.
Upcoming shows include the marvelous Jackie Ryan Nov 1 at Musician’s Union
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