|
On Saturday November 10th the Trilogy, Boulder’s classiest little Wine Bar, Restaurant and Venue, hosted a set of Home Cookin’ followed by two sets of the Bay Area’s hottest new jazz threesome, the OM Trio. My senses were percolated with culinary delight as I walked through the dining room, past the kitchen to the area with a stage in the rear of the building. The theatre area had elegant lighting and a bar home to an array or fine wines complete with cozy dancing room for about a hundred people. The venue, both refined and intimate, was perfect for a night of music with two great little bands on the rise.
As the kitchen was closing down for the evening, Home Cookin’ took the stage. Composed of two acoustic guitars, a stand up bass, keys and a drummer, they played an entertaining set of jammed out bluegrass with a twirl. They had good fun vocals with great harmonization. Their jams were very melodic, well-layered and intricately cohesive, blending upbeat elements of old time and folk. The guitarists played well off each other in a style wedged between Bill Nershi and Jerry Garcia acoustic. The quintet ended their soulful set and welcomed the OM Trio for two more sets of music from a different realm altogether.
The OM Trio is an electric jazz group who’s sound is so tight and apparent influences so vast they have a sound that can only be described as extraordinary, mind-blowing and incredibly danceable. They’re composition has a buoyantly complex nature that reflects on their improvisation. The drummer pounded out beats shaped for boogying in all forms; like hip-hop, funk, rock and some disco when necessary. He frequently and skillfully changed tempo, turning on a dime, while the bassist held the groove down with a smooth and funky slappin’ style that tied the band together as they whipped through space. From the keys came a talented, bubbly approach jammed somewhere between Medeski and Hancock with it’s own distinctive character. All three were tuned into each other on another plateau, weaving well-layered grooves and hectically patient climactic jams while toying deftly with tension and release. Stemmed from quintessential jazz, their sound was everything between ominous grooves, ecstatic disco, and even techno-esque jamming, forming what I would call head banging electric jazz. Currently on tour in promotion of their new album Live they are not to be missed if they pass by your neck of the woods.
All in all a fun evening. I wouldn’t hesitate to return to the Trilogy again as they always serve up a chic dinner and great live entertainment. I also wouldn’t hesitate to see either Home Cookin’ or the OM Trio again, as both are still currently in the area, the OM Trio returning to Boulder to play a free show at the Mountain Sun Brewery next Sunday. Home Cookin’ being local, should pop its head up now and again for. Another homegrown night of shnazzy good times not to be forgotten.
Ian Koudstaal
JamBase | Boulder, CO
Go See Live Music!
|
