Friday, May 30, 2008
Bernard Linnette: Hard Drumming in Atlanta
There is a zone between being dumbfounded and amazed when one stumbles on an artist they are previously unfamiliar with that is one of the great rewards of being human. A series of YouTube clips featurning Bernard Linnette that feature his playing against the conga work of Ramadan Mu Min evoke these kinds of emotions for me.
His website points out that his band Bernard Linnette Interactive is much in the Art Blakey tradition. This was the frame of reference that folks would give Mel Brown, here in Portland, Oregon. But this is ATL jazz, not PDX. Although Mr Linnette's Interactive sax player is Dennis Springer, a player from Pleasure, Portland's great contribution to the R&B-funk-soul bands of the Tower of Power/Earth, Wind, & Fire era.
This clip of Milestones features Dennis Springer and Russell Gunn, a monster trumpet player with an interesting body of work that merge jazz and hip hop sensibilities and forms.
This version of Luis Bonfa's main theme from Black Orpheus features two trumpet players, Melvin Jones and Danny Harper. What keeps it burning, however is the awesome cross rhythms of Linette and the Ramadan Mu Min's conga.
Someday My Prince Will Come with Springer and yet another trumpet player, Lester Walker (what's going on in ATL?) Springer's solo is a nice weave through the tune. His playing here reminds me of Wayne Shorter.
posted by well-executed buffet at 11:14 PM
Comments:
Post a Comment