This past weekend at The Moss Theatre was a haven for fans of the tenor sax. On Friday the palates of the avant-garde fans were satiated by the whirling sounds of master David Murray, while on Saturday devotees of big beefy Old School sounds akin to Dexter Gordon and Gene Ammons were given a feast from Eric Anderson, as he filled the room with bel canto hard bop beauties.
Teaming with LA favorite Eric Reed and his team of bassist Mike Gurrola and drummer Kevin Kanner, Alexander started things rolling with a torrid modal “Second Impressions” that played off of the famed John Coltrane piece. While sparks bounced off of the walls on this aggressive opener, Alexander spent the rest of the evening letting his gorgeous tone work best with sounds that were providentially designed for the tenor, namely rich ballads and robust rhythmic boppers. Of the former, his big horn was as riveting as Pavarotti in front of Kanner’s infectious backbeat and Reed’s classy and glassy piano on a sensuously swinging “Save Your Love For Me” whereas his palpably thick subtones sent shivers up the audience’s collective spines during the gorgeous aria of Lionel Richie’s “Still.” His mix of bel canto and blues floated like a nimbus cloud during “It’s Magic,” and even when walking around the stage off microphone the fans sitting in the back row of the theater could imbibe the mellifluous horn without a needing to lean forward in search of amplification.
Alexander left the stage for a bit to allow ivory master Reed demonstrate why he is now our hometown master in residence. In solo performance, he produced an intimate and delicately mooded medley of The Beatle’s “Yesterday” with the standard “Yesterdays” that was as silhouetted as dreamy. In the trio format, he created a spry and joyful bounce to “In Your Own Sweet Way” that put him in the class of masters like Tommy Flanagan, John Hicks and Mal Waldron as modern melodic maestros.
Back at the quartet format, Alexander delivered a rapid fire “Just One Of Those Things” that had the band off to the races as Kanner’s drum sticks hummingbirded out the beat and Gurrola sprinted to the finish line, tearing into a sprint as the leader held back behind the beat in ecstatic contrast of icy hot. Closing with a gospel soul groover “Eddie Harris” Alexander and Reed preached peach and joy from the pulpit, building up a collective sweat that oozed infectious energy and joy.
Alexander, like all master chefs, has learned that in creating a good meal, always trust the basic ingredients. With a sound like his, it’s easy to stick to the simple flavors of life.
Upcoming shows sponsored by The Jazz Bakery include Bill Holman 07/13