Review of Hastings Jazz Collective Live!

Hastings Jazz Collective
Review of Live Show at the Hastings Unitarian Society, April 27, 2013
by Monique Avakian

You know, I got to go to church the other day in another way: through music. Specifically, jazz. Intentionally: Hastings.

I love Hastings. So many creative people live there. And the arts are really supported. You can go hear the Hastings Jazz Collective almost every Friday night at the Station Café for a donation. Plus, if you’re so inclined, these generous professionals open up the mic for improvisers to jam with them! Their generosity and good will are to be treasured!

Anyway, I wanted to write a little something about this particular show at the Unitarian Society because the musicians’ choices of tunes and arrangements were very thoughtful. Each song had a bluesy~gospel root and that made for a really enjoyable and threaded exploration. The standards and originals included Oscar Pettiford’s Laverne Walk, Kenny Wheeler’s Mark Time and Kenny Baron’s Voyage. And this particular evening (part of the Common Ground Community Concerts series), each player took long, long solos. Each and every time. These cats got into it!

Ron Vincent on Drums: If you’re ever in a bad mood and want to snap out of it, just imagine Ron’s face while he’s playing. He is so in touch with the joy of jazz, it is absolutely infectious. And as a player, he is constantly evolving. He’s got the softest bass drum EVER and makes these Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em hits INSIDE a smooth ride feel that is so clean and free. He’s not afraid to get involved with the toms either, and he has this arresting slight drop~out~of~time feel at choice moments that’s simply magnetic. His arrangement of “Pick Yourself Up” was intriguing, especially when he went into a sudden Latin feel and then traded 4’s with himself rhythmically! I never heard a drummer do that before – too cool!

David Janeway on Keys: David is not afraid to experiment in the moment and has a range of technique that allows him to test the waters fearlessly. And even though he can be as avant as the next guy, he chooses to go there just slightly. This is really effective and wonderful for listeners, because you don’t get lost or confused or exhausted. Yet, you are encouraged to evolve in your understanding of the complexity that is so attractive about jazz. David, too, is constantly evolving, and I have never heard one player have so many different ways of texturizing with arpeggios, tremolos, little endearing Monk-like tinkles, and soulful and inventive chord voicings. Completely relaxed, yet with appropriate authority, Mr. Janeway very much embodies the phrase: “Yours Truly.”

Tim Armacost on Sax: Though his solos can be sweet and lilting, Armacost always has a good slab of grease on it. He’s got awesome lung power and this subtle feel~great vibrato sound which he sometimes offers at the end of an excursion. Armacost’s tone is especially warm way down low, but the man covers a lot of interesting territory all the way up and down the register.

Frank Tate on Bass: Solid. Relaxed. Accomplished. This is a player that can be relied upon to respond to anything. Tate’s lead on their version of Willow Weep for Me on this particular evening was especially grand and meditative. Check them out! At the Station Café, The Hastings Jazz Collective is often joined by Jay Azzolina on guitar, various bass players and all kinds of special guests. It’s a great hang.

Hastings Station Café: 914-693-3175

A video taste from this performance: http://youtu.be/r2lu8Kp2A70

Monique’s other site: http://5over4.blogspot.com/

Avant Jazz: http://www.freejazzblog.org/

Jazz Times: http://jazztimes.com/contributors/31232-monique-avakian

Hastings Jazz Collective: http://www.hastingsjazzcollective.com/index

Common Ground Community Concerts: http://commongroundfusw.com/