The great thing about NYC is that there’s always something cool going on…the downside is usually you are too busy to go check things out. As I’ve been doing more studio work (rather than touring) this past summer and fall, I was in town and made a point to attend many shows. Some of the memorable and inspirational performances included Aviva Jaye, Clara Kennedy, Ron Carter/Billy Cobham/Donald Harrison, Buika, Eddie Palmieri, Michael Leonhart Orchestra, and the Dred Scott Trio. Conrad Herwig and Ray Mason (playing the blues over Wu Tang Clan) took my love of trombone to a new level, and Jonathan Powell made the trumpet do some crazy things while barely moving an inch. I hadn’t seen Dred Scott since playing with him in the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble…his playing shined at his recent record release show, and he recalled taking out a Berio score in my name some 20 years ago which almost held up getting my degree…Small clubs are not dead. Well, maybe hanging on by a thread, but that experience is too valuable to go away.
One of my all-time faves, Mr. Ron Carter, at the Blue Note this fall.