The past week contained-along with generous helpings of turkey, mashed potatoes and pie at my mother's pad- an interesting mix of gig experiences.
Wedneday was my regular gig with trumpeter Rick Marsters, who along with trombonist Willie Johnson leads a quintet in a session format. The band plays a set and then a myriad of local musicians and students sit in under Rick's watchful eye. This past Wednesday was special, because the young drummer Jeff Witherall was in town from college and presented a glimpse of the future. For the first set, Jeff performed admirably on piano, making it clear that should he so choose, he could easily concentrate on this instrument and make a name for himself. But the second set showed what people have local people have been murmuring about: this kid is the real thing as a jazz drummer. Currently Jeff is attending The Manhattan School of Music in New York. I expect that within a very short period of time he will be making career strides on the NYC scene.
Friday night I played a solo piano gig at Solo Bistro, a friendly spot in Bath with excellent food and an intimate vibe. Nothing special would seem to be on the agenda as I solo navigated the first set, modestly playing some standards and sneaking in some originals for an expanded table of young women much more interested in each other than the music. But by the second set Brad Terry showed up to bail me out again. By then the revelers had split and Brad and I played to a small crowd of friends and appreciators. He made it clear as he effortlessly created a kaleidescope of beautiful lines on tune after tune that a master was in the house and I was simply along for the ride.
Last night (Saturday) I engaged in a drummer tete a tete with Devin Gray, another great young talent, at a funky little storefront called 'Strange Maine'. We played free, and it was some of the most fun I've had playing drums in a long time. Most of the set we played involved shorter pieces, created from nothing, using sounds, diffused rhythms, cymbal melodies, and refracted bebop, and we ended with a two drum set version of Monk's 'We See', if you can imagine that. Afterward Devin mentioned that we should have recorded it. I agree! More of this duo should be forthcoming soon.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Jim Howe
Jim Howe, the bassist whose residency at The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH lasted over 25 years, passed away a few weeks ago at 61. His energy and love of jazz seemed to grow stronger with each passing year. A recent Memorial Concert at Philips Exeter Acedemy was a well-programmed musical event that featured the cream of the New Hampshire/Maine/Massachusetts scenes. All of the performers had long lasting musical relationships with Jim and everyone played well.
Jim was an honest, down-to-earth guy and a talented, swinging musician who played for years alongside the great drummer Les Harris, Sr. in the trio of pianist Tommy Gallant. After starting at The Horse of A Different Color in the late '70s, they moved to The Press Room a few years later, where they continued every Sunday- with just one personnel change when Les, Sr. passed his gig along to his son Les, Jr.- until Tommy passed away in the '90s. Over the last ten years or so, Jim kept the music going with a trio that included Chris Neville and then Ryan Parker on piano, and Les Harris, Jr. on drums.
Highlights of the concert last Sunday for me were Tracey Maclean's heartfelt vocal turn on 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', and the wonderful drum duet feature 'And Howe' for Les Harris, Sr and Jr. The older Les proved that he hasn't lost a step and stays pretty competitive in the company of his young master son. There were also excellent performances by pianists Ryan Parker and Gerry Wright; saxophonists Charlie Jennison and Fred Haas; and a tricky, reharmonized I Remember You by the trumpeter/arranger Greg Hopkins provided the most modern treatment of the afternoon. Also, Chris Humphrey sang a beautiful 'This Is All I Ask', Jim Howe's favorite tune, with the pianist Mark Shilansky, the ever-melodic Marty Ballou on bass, and Les, Jr. There were many other players and performances. The church was packed, which exemplifies the spiritual connection that Jim had with so many people over the years through his life and music.
On a personal note, I played with Jim a few times over the years and we always hit it off. He was an easy guy to talk to, and if he liked you then it was even easier. Jim was originally from Old Town and had strong roots in Maine. The last few years he lived in Hanover, outside Bethel, where he had a funky cabin. He would make the trek down to the Portsmouth area for a few days each week to teach and play at The Press Room, and then make his way back. A few years ago I played a concert with Jim in Greenville, ME in a group with Trent Austin. The nice people at The Blair Hill Inn put us up after the gig on Moosehead Lake, and then the next day Jim and I had breakfast in Kakadjo, which is about 20 miles north of where we were, kind of the end of the road as you permeate the north woods. We had a great conversation, almost philosophical in scope. Just last fall we played a school thing in Lincoln, which was the last time I played with him. Earlier this year I visited The Press Room to see Ted Casher play with Jim's trio, and that was the last time I saw him. We corresponded by e-mail just a few days before he died. I'm sure a lot of people are saying the same thing, that they just spoke or communicated with him: he was that kind of person. Although isolated geographically, he was well-connected to his family and the extended jazz family that Jim was so proud to be a part of.
The tradition at The Press Room continues: Ryan and Les will be forging ahead with another bassist at The Press Room with a full slate of special guests, with occasional appearances by other jazz groups. Jim would be extremely pleased with this development.
Jim was an honest, down-to-earth guy and a talented, swinging musician who played for years alongside the great drummer Les Harris, Sr. in the trio of pianist Tommy Gallant. After starting at The Horse of A Different Color in the late '70s, they moved to The Press Room a few years later, where they continued every Sunday- with just one personnel change when Les, Sr. passed his gig along to his son Les, Jr.- until Tommy passed away in the '90s. Over the last ten years or so, Jim kept the music going with a trio that included Chris Neville and then Ryan Parker on piano, and Les Harris, Jr. on drums.
Highlights of the concert last Sunday for me were Tracey Maclean's heartfelt vocal turn on 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', and the wonderful drum duet feature 'And Howe' for Les Harris, Sr and Jr. The older Les proved that he hasn't lost a step and stays pretty competitive in the company of his young master son. There were also excellent performances by pianists Ryan Parker and Gerry Wright; saxophonists Charlie Jennison and Fred Haas; and a tricky, reharmonized I Remember You by the trumpeter/arranger Greg Hopkins provided the most modern treatment of the afternoon. Also, Chris Humphrey sang a beautiful 'This Is All I Ask', Jim Howe's favorite tune, with the pianist Mark Shilansky, the ever-melodic Marty Ballou on bass, and Les, Jr. There were many other players and performances. The church was packed, which exemplifies the spiritual connection that Jim had with so many people over the years through his life and music.
On a personal note, I played with Jim a few times over the years and we always hit it off. He was an easy guy to talk to, and if he liked you then it was even easier. Jim was originally from Old Town and had strong roots in Maine. The last few years he lived in Hanover, outside Bethel, where he had a funky cabin. He would make the trek down to the Portsmouth area for a few days each week to teach and play at The Press Room, and then make his way back. A few years ago I played a concert with Jim in Greenville, ME in a group with Trent Austin. The nice people at The Blair Hill Inn put us up after the gig on Moosehead Lake, and then the next day Jim and I had breakfast in Kakadjo, which is about 20 miles north of where we were, kind of the end of the road as you permeate the north woods. We had a great conversation, almost philosophical in scope. Just last fall we played a school thing in Lincoln, which was the last time I played with him. Earlier this year I visited The Press Room to see Ted Casher play with Jim's trio, and that was the last time I saw him. We corresponded by e-mail just a few days before he died. I'm sure a lot of people are saying the same thing, that they just spoke or communicated with him: he was that kind of person. Although isolated geographically, he was well-connected to his family and the extended jazz family that Jim was so proud to be a part of.
The tradition at The Press Room continues: Ryan and Les will be forging ahead with another bassist at The Press Room with a full slate of special guests, with occasional appearances by other jazz groups. Jim would be extremely pleased with this development.
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