Music Magic on Frenchman Street
In the early 90's, occasionally jazz music would find it's way into my predominantly pop-music playlist. One such was a 1995 release called Rhythm Within by trombonist Steve Turre with Herbie Hancock on piano, Pharoah Sanders on tenor sax, and John Faddis on trumpet along with 12 other players. I loved the mysterious vibe invoked by Mr. Turre's playing of the seashells (mostly conch shells), something he reportedly learned from Rashan Roland Kirk. He and the other musicians on the record would play shells of various sizes (conchs have an extremely limited range so you need several), with specially modified "mouthpieces" crafted into the shells.
When I heard that he was playing at the tiny club Snug Harbor in New Orleans, I got a ticket right away. The quartet was billed as being co-led by Turre with local drummer and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra member Herlin Riley. This quartet was put together just for 2 performances, and included a pianist and a bass player both of whom were stellar, producing music of the kind that invokes wonder and joy. I cannot report their names because I didn't take sufficient notes. Hopefully, lesson learned. Turre was center stage, resplendent in long goatee, longer braided pony tail and flowing wavy wide-striped shirt of gold and black. Songs were Yardbird Suite, Caroline in the Morning, and September in the Rain, from the new record coming out soon. They continued with a piece starting off with Turre playing various shells under the grand piano lid imparting a sustain to the notes, with the quartet eventually leading the music into Miles Davis' All Blues, then on to Penny's From Heaven and With a Song in My Heart.
As a father of a trombonist, it was a great thrill to see one of his colleagues playing so well along with the other fine, fine musicians. A night to remember with much appreciation for what artists do for us all.
When I heard that he was playing at the tiny club Snug Harbor in New Orleans, I got a ticket right away. The quartet was billed as being co-led by Turre with local drummer and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra member Herlin Riley. This quartet was put together just for 2 performances, and included a pianist and a bass player both of whom were stellar, producing music of the kind that invokes wonder and joy. I cannot report their names because I didn't take sufficient notes. Hopefully, lesson learned. Turre was center stage, resplendent in long goatee, longer braided pony tail and flowing wavy wide-striped shirt of gold and black. Songs were Yardbird Suite, Caroline in the Morning, and September in the Rain, from the new record coming out soon. They continued with a piece starting off with Turre playing various shells under the grand piano lid imparting a sustain to the notes, with the quartet eventually leading the music into Miles Davis' All Blues, then on to Penny's From Heaven and With a Song in My Heart.
As a father of a trombonist, it was a great thrill to see one of his colleagues playing so well along with the other fine, fine musicians. A night to remember with much appreciation for what artists do for us all.
Sounds like I would have liked being there; thanks for the report. Who was the colleague of Jon's who played with them?
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