Still with original member Miguel Zenon, the SFJAZZ Collective is in head to head competition with the JALC orchestra for preserving “classic” jazz sounds and mixing them with modern interpretations and compositions. The current incarnation of Zenon/as with David Sanchez/ts, Sean Jones/tp, Robin Eubanks/tb, Warren Wolf/vib-ar, Edward Simon/p, Matt Penman/b and Obed Calvaire/dr team up on this 2 cd/dvd set for a collection of concert performances. This time around, the focus on material by Ornette Coleman, Stevie Wonder and Thelonious Monk as well as presenting flavorful originals on the cds, while the dvd has the team searing through the music of Miles Davis.
Of the originals, just about everyone gets a composition to present. Wolf’s “Give the Drummer Some” has some exciting staccato pulses teamed with Simons’ flowing piano, while Renaissance-themed horns flow into an idyllic “Venezuela Unida” and create fluffy clouds for Zenon’s wide vibrato on “Tidal Fllow.” The team gallops on Sanchez’s “Living the Questions” and bounce on Jones’ “Off Kilter.”
Calvaire snaps everyone to attention on the brassy “Criss Cross” while Wolf’s vibes form a moody “Bye-Ya” before leading the team into a chaotic “Una Muy Bonita.” Jones leads the pack on a galloping “When Will the Blues Leave” while the team sounds most at home with Stevie Wonder, getting funky on “Superstition” and down and strutting with “Sir Duke.”
The dvd focuses on vintage acoustic-era Davis, with a glowing “All Blues,” a hip “Milestones” and cruising “Joshua” and “Teo.” These gents keep the tradition alive while burning new trails. Excellent!