On February 18th the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts Center presented a special two-night performance by the phenomenal saxophonist James Carter, who was joined by bassist Lee Smith, drummer Justin Faulkner and pianist George Burton. The Quartet paid a tribute to the music of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner in celebration of the Black History Month. The show was conceived and produced by Vena Jefferson from the Philadelphia based VCJ Media and Productions company.
I first saw Mr. Carter play with the Odeon Pope Saxophone Choir at Blue Note and it blew my mind. James Carter is righteously called a virtuoso: his complete mastery of baritone, tenor, alto and soprano saxophone is unquestionable; so is his ability to play even the most complex music effortlessly. I’ve been looking forward to hearing him play again, but he doesn’t play much in NYC – two or three times a year is all jazz aficionados are likely to experience. When I found out that James was playing in Philadelphia and that it was a tribute to John Coltrane, I just had to be there. So Philadelphia it was. Besides, I’ve never been before, and I always wanted to visit this city with a rich and impressive tradition of jazz music.
It’s daunting undertaking to play the music of one of the most significant and innovative jazz musicians of all times, John Coltrane. As Justin Faulkner put it when we were talking in between sets:
“The first time I heard John Coltrane’s music I vowed to myself that I would never play it. I figured that I would never be able to play it. The first recording I heard was A Love Supreme, one of the most powerful pieces of music that has ever been written in general .. the intensity of it, its power – I used to go to sleep listening to that particular record. [..] So playing Coltrane’s music is one of the most incredible experiences!”
The group handled the task with a mastery that left the audience breathless. James Carter’s superior control of soprano saxophone was delightful; his treatment of ballads made my heart bleed. His performance was flamboyant; at times he played notes faster than I can count, just to slow it down the next second and make it whisper and moan like a human being. The energy of the band was contagious.
The musical exchanges between George on piano and Justin on drums were dynamic and captivating. Classically trained, George started playing jazz when he was a teenager and continued studying formally and informally since then. Never mind his young age, he is a creative and charismatic player. His percussive style puntcuated fiery solos of James Carter with elegance and feeling. And at times he literally had his fingers inside the piano to produce the sound he wanted.
Lee Smith, who is a real legend in the world of jazz, played with passion and complete command of the rhythm. You can tell when a musician is taken by the music, and Lee was clearly enjoying what was happening that night. All of the musicians have known each other for quite some time and have played together in different bands. Justin Faulkner, who plays with Branford Marsalis Quartet, had endless energy and he was keeping the sound tight. It was a fitting group to celebrate the music of John Coltrane.
The venue that hosted the concert, the Philadelphia Clef Jazz Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, is a historical landmark in its own right. Founded in 1966 it has been a hub of creativity and a place for musicians to play and learn from each other ever since; it is also an educational center that strives to pass the jazz tradition onto younger generation. Musicians who play out of love more than anything else are not having it easy in places like Philly, or Detroit where James Carter is from, a sentiment that came up during our brief conversation before the show. Deteriorating economic conditions make it more and more challenging to sustain a thriving jazz scene; jazz is sometimes being pushed to the periphery and club owners are forced to find other sources of revenue. But my first jazz show in Philly was a real treat – beautiful music, amazing people and a a little taste of the city that I would love to come back to.
Anna Yatskevich is Flowers In A Gun’s glamorous jazz & beyond critic! Catch more reviews from her here and follow her on Twitter @jazzaddikt.
