|
Have you ever expected a little groove and been totally blown away? Maybe your friends tell you that a band is something worth checking out, perhaps you've heard of some of the players, maybe you've seen one or two at some point. Now recall that feeling during the show when you realize that this is much more than a random band in a random bar; musical wizards that are the catalyst for an experience, an experiment that gets better as the jams unfold and the grooves build up steam. Manifesting the moments that create those memories - these are moments we drive and strive for, the true joys of life.
Last night at the Connecticut Yankee in San Francisco, a jazz fusion supergroup consisting of Fareed Haque, Kai Eckhardt de Camargo, Alan Hertz, and Kit Walker got together and strung together many of these moments of musical exploration. And they'll be back again tonight, same time, same place, creating their practically incomprehensible jazz fusion on the fly. If you're anywhere remotely near the Bay Area, you need to be there.
Fareed Haque has been a professor of classical and jazz guitar at Northern Illinois University in De Kalb, IL. He is well known for his work on the Blue Note cover album, Deja Vu (CSN&Y). A beautiful cover of "Helpless" was played last night, with Fareed using the slide to resonate his beautiful tone during the lyrical portion. The endless crescendos of the improvised section, building waves of emotion, taking breath away from unassuming spectators. The way that Fareed turns staccato rhythms into his magical solos, he takes off and soars instantly, always landing exquisitely.
Kai Eckhardt De Camargo, who was the bassist on the amazing John McLaughlin Trio "Live From the Royal Festival Hall" album from 1989, put on a bass clinic for the 40 or so people in the crowd last night. Soft-spoken six string mastery, Kai is a man totally in control of his instrument! Able to walk through funky basslines, lay down slapgrooves, and fade into the background like it is second nature, Kai had me transfixed on his basswork for hours.
Kit Walker has worked with people ranging from Zakir Hussain to Puff Daddy to Paul McCandless, working his two slithering sonic synthesizers smoothly within the integrated stringed framework that Haque and Eckhardt lay down.
Alan Hertz, best known for his work with Steve Kimock and Bobby Vega in KVHW was at ease behind the skins. Following the silent but confident leads of Haque, Hertz masterfully changed up tempo without skipping a beat. He was as comfortable with rolling grooves as he was switching to straight jazz on "Mr. PC" to close the show.
I hope this band is not just a short-lived supergroup, I would love to see them show the world more of these moments.
Sickness Factor: SickestEver! This is not to be missed.
Go See Live Music! - tk
Want to share a similar experience? Email us!
|
