Festival Review: Jon Faddis Unbridled
[Review of Jon Faddis and the Jazz Orchestra of New York, who appeared the Fairmont Southampton as part of the Bermuda Festival on Friday 20th January. Written by Kensley McDowall]
Unbridled indeed was trumpet virtuoso Jon Faddis and his Jazz Orchestra of New York at the Southampton Princess theatre last Friday evening. From the opening set, Frank Foster’s “Shining Stockings” arranged by Slide Hampton, the stage was set for an evening of first class musical entertainment.
Faddis whose signature is his ability to play sustained in the high register of the trumpet did not disappoint. He opened the set with hints of his signature and then joined the other four trumpeters in the trumpet section as the band laid out in a smooth robust sound that warmed the heart on a cold January evening.
His second piece, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” was dedicated to the students he had spoken to in Bermuda giving them a lesson in not dragging. A full but not packed house was treated to the smooth fluid sound of Steve Turre’s trombone accompanied by Renee Rosnes on piano while Todd Coolman on bass and John Riley on drums kept things tight and lively.
Thelonious Monks’ “Little Rootie Tootie” opened quietly with piano and then the band exploded. Additionally the audience was treated to an alto sax solo by Steve Wilson and trumpet Solo by Michael Philip Mossman. Faddis ran the gamut on trumpet taking the audience to the “Faddisphere”. One could close ones eyes and easily imagine Dizzy Gillespie on stage.
Next was Dizzy Gillespie’s “Tin Tin Deo”. The almost whistling sound of Faddis’ trumpet as he played sustained in the high register contrasted beautifully with the rich guttural sounds of Frank Basile’s baritone saxophone. Faddis displayed his ability to jump a double octave as he shifted to the sweet sound of the lower register only to end on a whistling high.
In the fifth number several members of the band demonstrated their talent as Steve Turre put the audience into a romantic mood with trombone sole of “In a sentimental Mood” supported by a sweet stead bass and piano that simply played the supporting role. Andrew Gould treated the audience to a wonderful solo of “Polker Dot”. Todd Coolman displayed his skill as he ran the entire fret board with his bass solo, culminating with a beautiful conversation between Faddis’ trumpet and Rosnes’ piano.
The first session ended on a stomping high as the band laid on layers and layers of music in a rendition of John Coltrane’s 1959 “Giant Steps”. It featured the saxophone section with trumpet solos from Faddis and Greg Gisbert while the band “mixed it up”. It ended with a bright drum solo and Faddis taking it to the Faddisphere.
The second set swung open with Count Basie’s “Swingin’ the Blues”. Piano, bass and drums backed by some tight music from the entire band. This was followed by a wonderful rendition of Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night in Tunisia” featuring the trombone section but lending itself to many solo features on bass , drums and joyful interplay between the trombone and trumpet section.
Faddis took the trumpet to its highest register to end this piece. “Pensive Mist”, a special trumpet piece gave Faddis an opportunity to display his sweet mellow sound to the accompaniment of a quiet subdued band.
Footage of John Faddis performing in 2010:
“Fascinating Rhythm” arranged by Frank Foster opened with a low mournful sound of Steve Turre on trombone as trumpets came in and changed the tempo. It ended with a great deal of interplay between the various instruments including Faddis’ trumpet and baritone saxophone resulting in much stomping and sliding much to the enjoyment of the audience.
Walt Weiskopf evoked the voices of Charlie parker, Benny Carter, Dexter Gordon and others with a sweet, clean, breathy rendition of “My One and Only Love” on tenor saxophone supported by a piano, bass and drums that were in touch with the emotions.
The session closed with the rocking sound of the band as they gave a rendition of a Duke Ellington’s piece that brought the audience to its feet as the music swelled and Faddis moved out of the stratosphere and into the Faddisphere.
Throughout the entire evening’s performance his humourous side was present as he gave jokes and poked jokes at the audience and members of his band. This is only the second event of the 2012 Bermuda Festival; it has set the tone, a very high tone, for things to come. Hats off to the Festival Committee, it would appear that they are on to something. Watch for the other events.
- Kensley McDowall
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