Ron Carter’s trio with guitarist Russell Malone has turned into one of the most impressive small groups since its beginnings 20 years ago. Pianist Donald Vega’s replacement of the late Mulgrew Miller didn’t even drop a stitch, as the team shows it still creates seamless Raphael tapestries of song.
The opening “LaVerne Walk” opened with tasty and sleek swing that gradually had each member stretch and twist the theme like Turkish Taffy before returning to its original gait. Malone’s thoughtful and dreamy chords on “Candlelight” slowly undulated into a lilting solo before his and Carter’s thumbs both strummed their strings in unison like flickering candles.
The team also showed it could flex their collective muscles, as on “Parade” there were hip and intricate unison lines before Vegas chiming piano slid into a table dance like a Latin Lover. His opening solo on “ My Funny Valentine” used space and light like Renoir, as Carter’s bass pleaded for Malone’s tender guitar taps. A joyful duet between Malone and Carter on the bouncy bossa “Samba de Orpheus” was spotlighted by the leader’s deft ectomorphic statements before Vega entered in to change gears and pop the clutch.
As Malone used his guitar to chunk out jivey chords on a R&Bish “Soft Winds” and Vega closed the evening with a stately , warm and relaxed “There Will Never Be Another You” with sighing strings in support, the 1 ½ set closed as it ended, with style, grace and class. Elegance is still able to excite, as these three men from afar demonstrated during this advent season.
Upcoming shows at Catalina’s include John Daversa 12/11, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band 12/12 and Mike Stern 12/15-18