The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival – Review by A Scott Galloway

*With out explicitly declaring such, this yr’s Hollywood Bowl Jazz Pageant was devoted to the spirit, the battle, and the celebration of Africans all over the world, all through the galaxies, and throughout the artwork type of music. Over the course of this Father’s day Weekend main into Monday, June 19 changing into the primary Nationally noticed vacation Juneteenth – the day that African People in Texas realized years after the truth that that they had already been set “free” – this yr’s jazz pageant colorfully and loudly reveled in music throughout the diaspora of a individuals with arms outstretched towards all to partake and luxuriate in.

In an interview with journalist Darlene Donloe for The Los Angeles Wave newspaper, Kamasi Washington (who co-curated this yr’s pageant with Inventive chair Herbie Hancock along side the L.A. Philharmonic) prophetically acknowledged, “With African American music, we create genres that break up every little thing up. All this music is said to one another. I don’t see an enormous profit to them being disconnected. To have the music really feel like we’re all household is an exquisite factor. It’s going to be an exquisite day.”:

Saturday’s festivities kicked off with comic/legendary ceiling crashing former late-night tv selection present host Arsenio Corridor stepping in as pageant host following an excellent run by George Lopez and initially held by Invoice Cosby. All through the weekend, he saved issues tight and shared biographical intros on the artists (and private ones for these he encountered through the years) with solely the tiniest of first-timer fake pas’ (some not even his fault.

The primary group of musicians up was the Los Angeles Unified District ensemble of L.A.’s most promising highschool college students. And so they weren’t taking part in round, opening with a livid whirl by be-bop innovator Dizzy Gillespie’s “Issues to Come!” They adopted with an unique composition by the group’s trumpeter Evan Dexter devoted to his music trainer, “Mr. Carr’s Blues” which turned a setup for A-chair 12-bar solos plus a full horn part break that exposed each dynamics and spirit! A 14-piece vocal choir joined the band subsequent for the swingin’ “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” made well-known within the `60s by the incomparable Sammy Davis, Jr.

Subsequent up was the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Efficiency at UCLA. comprised of excellent up-and-coming jazz musicians hand-picked by each Hancock and Herb Alpert. Early on, singer Darynn Dean, granddaughter of drummer Donald Dean (world-famous for his tenure with Les McCann) was featured on a warmly distinctive association of Burt Bacharach & Hal David’s “I Say a Little Prayer” (first made well-known by Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin). This association discovered the group breaking apart the phrases in a hip contemporary manner main into killin’ drum and bass phrases. Different set standouts have been “Blues for B.M.” devoted to pianist Brad Mehldau in 7/8 time with nice vocal scat, trumpet, and soprano sax solos, and Dean’s “Black Lady,” devoted to the apparent – with love, respect, and soulful inspiration.

Longtime buddies, guitarist Lionel Loueke of Benin, West Africa, and Los Angeles-born vocalist Gretchen Parlato, subsequent delivered a deliciously intimate sequence of duets (with delicate percussion accompaniment) that turned the Bowl right into a love subsequent. Highlights included deep dives into the soul-pop gems “I Miss You” (originated by the all-girl band Klymaxx) and “I Can’t Assist It” (a Stevie Surprise/Susaye Greene traditional first recorded by Michael Jackson). The best way they dissected the rhythm of the phrasing on the latter was killin’! With Loueke being a longtime and present member of Herbie Hancock’s band, it was no shock that the duo dug into his serenely erotic gem “Butterfly” – however the shock was new lyrics…chic. Parlato’s “If I Knew” showcased Loueke’s signature guitar soloing from outer house. And so they additionally launched unique compositions “Studying to Love” “Akwe,” “Nonvignon” and the title monitor of their debut CD collectively, “Lean In.”

Conguero Poncho Sanchez, a west coast legend and mainstay of all issues Latin jazz and Salsa, had the viewers within the palms of his arms with freshly recorded new music from an upcoming album that includes preparations by Francisco Torre. Ever the gentleman, Sanchez even shouted his soundman as a member of the band. Variations of Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” and Cal Tjader’s “Soul Sauce” virtually had the women popping out of their tops!

The all-star quartet Aziza led by bassist Dave Holland turned in essentially the most excellent jazz set of the weekend. Drummer Eric Harland, tenor saxophonist Chris Potter and a returning Lionel Loueke on guitar let the music do the speaking with no pauses for tune introductions or explanations. Their synchronistic legitimacy was omni-apparent. One bass solo with Loueke shadowing was a pure sun-dappled murals.

The woman that the majority have been in the home to see this opening day was 2-time Grammy-winner Samara Pleasure. The 23-year-old Bronx-born singer/songwriter supplied up a roundly spectacular showcase of her abilities and attributes so far, taking the stage to the theme of Nat Adderley’s “Enjoyable” which led into “A Kiss From You” and “Candy Pumpkin.” She wowed along with her velocity, precision, and aptitude on the title monitor of her newest album, “Linger Awhile,” and her personal lyricized tackle Fat Navarro’s “Nostalgia” which sandwiched a respectful glide by Antonio Carlos Jobim’s and Vinicius de Moraes’ 1957 traditional “Chega de Saudade (No Extra Blues)” sung within the unique Portuguese. All through, her band was hermetic, supporting her agency and fluid articulation. Close to the set’s finish, she shared the story of her speedy ascent within the jazz world in a touching retelling full of honest gratitude. Nevertheless, this led into the one interpretation of hers that has been a thorn on this author’s aspect from her beginnings (I’m, admittedly, within the minority right here). When Samara sings “Guess Who I Noticed At present” (owned by Nancy Wilson in her lifetime), I hear her leaning on the tone of her voice greater than an impressed rendering of the well-known story of the lyric. Not including a lot to this was her turning it right into a medley with Stevie Surprise’s “These days.” There’s a promising idea right here… I solely hope (and intuit) that it’ll mature in time. Ms. Pleasure closed with an excellent model of Horace Silver’s “Nica’s Dream” (first recorded instrumentally by Artwork Blakey & The Jazz Messengers in 1956) with a brand new lyric. Bravissimo.

The 8-piece band St. Paul & The Damaged Bones straight outta Birmingham Alabama made up for a beforehand missed engagement on the pageant with a meat and potatoes tent pole soul present that was half jam band and half tent-pole blues rock. A number of mid-set originals together with “Minotaur,” “Wolf in Rabbit’s Clothes” and “Stroll Monster” took a backseat to an out-of-the-blue nod to Parliament’s Clones of Dr. Funkenestein traditional “Gamin’ On Ya.” Additionally memorable (and fortunately injury-free) was when lead singer Paul Janeway got here out into the gang to sing on the roof of the lighting bunker the place a soul sister from the viewers gleefully joined him for a second earlier than dropping her steadiness and falling into the security internet of a cover under.

Los Angeles hometown hero/guru, saxophonist/band chief Kamasi Washington, introduced his sprawling jazz philharmonic of instrumentalists and vocalists to the forefront with a well-paced set of 6 songs from his sprawling 3-CD providing The Epic. Within the quote I lifted that began this overview, Kamasi spoke of all of the music being supplied by the pageant’s varied artists as a part of one indigenous household. In his personal set, all that music blended into an intracultural suite. Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop, and Gospel all stirred into the heavyweight items “Miss Understanding,” “Vi Luna, Vi Sol,” “How I Grew to become a Madman,” “Avenue Fighter Mass,” “Re-Run” and the ferocious nearer “Fists of Fury.”

This led into the anticlimactic finale of Saturday night time: the presence of Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD). It might be simple to dump on this late `80s new jack hip hop act to be on a jazz pageant…nevertheless it have to be acknowledged that this pageant and its earlier incarnation the Playboy Jazz Pageant, has usually had artists with no ties to jazz within the closing slot, together with Janelle Monae, Macy Grey, rappers, rock bands and world music ensembles. BBD (a spin-off trio from the unique Boston-based soul-pop group New Version) was problematic as a result of their present was poorly paced and poorly positioned inside his jazz pageant day. Had they been scheduled earlier within the night and completed a tighter shorter high-energy set, they might have exceeded expectations and crushed all skepticism by JUST rocking the 5 hit singles from their multi-platinum debut album, Poison, and perhaps one new quantity. However no…

First, their entrance from the highest of a stairwell was lackluster (with roadies nonetheless hauling out tools as they took the stage). The group’s major singer, Ricky Bell, was in weak voice. And Michael Bivins appeared distracted pacing the stage when not rapping. The one member who appeared utterly on-point was rapper/choreographer Ronnie DeVoe who not solely rocked the BBD dance routines, he additionally joined their 4 feminine backing dancers who have been serving Friday Night time Lights hearth all night time lengthy.

To their credit score, BBD began with three of their largest hits, “She’s Dope!,” “BBD (I Thought it Was Me)!” and “Do Me!.” Nevertheless, the loooong present midsection sagged with three lesser-known later songs (not the transfer for a jazz pageant), a medley of New Version songs (tipping their caps to that group’s 40+ yr anniversary) and each of the trio’s ballad hits “When Will I See You Smile Once more” and “One thing in Your Eyes,” – back-to-back – on a nasty chops night time for Bell. He even tried to have the viewers sing his highest falsetto line (“I apologize’) for him. Sadly, Bell doesn’t have it like Frankie Beverly. An overlong failed try at viewers participation was the nail within the coffin… Although BBD closed with their groundbreaking hit “Poison!,” someway the pageant wild card left the stage as lackluster as they entered it.

*****

Sunday on the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Pageant continued like scorching java – black and robust – with the LAUSD Past the Bell pupil group which proved to be a extremely promising assortment of younger jazz lions.

Subsequent up was the rousing, deep-cut Gospel-Jazz courtesy of singer/bassist Andrew Gouche & Prayze Connection that includes Cardinal Divas. Picks included “Promise Keeper,” “Me and Jesus Talked” and a canopy of The Clark Sisters’ “You Introduced The Sunshine.”

Subsequent, like Saturday’s superb Aziza, was one other excellent jazz quintet Butcher Brown bringing a mind-expanding mix of Hip-Hop and jazz-Rock Fusion. Their set included “Round For A Whereas,” DYNWYD,” “Solely Stay Quick” and “1992.” In direction of the tip, they broke into the Ronnie Legal guidelines Quiet Storm gem “Tidal Wave” however the brother may have completed greater than breathe the top over & over, and play a lil’ mo’ horn in honor of the nice Houston tenor man.

Haiti’s Boukman Eksperyans (assume “expertise” when announcing the final identify) is a sextet consisting of a DJ, a conga participant, a guitarist, and three lead singers: one male, two feminine. As colourful as their costumes, the group soothed souls underneath the Father’s Day solar with some spirited mid-tempo island vibration

One other set many have been trying ahead to experiencing was The Soul Rebels who introduced New Orleans marching band funk-jazz laced with hip-hop vocals on hype numbers resembling “Insurgent Rock/Rebelosis” and a canopy of Toto’s “Georgy Porgy.” They have been joined by cult trans star Huge Freedia whose often far-out model of gown seemed to be muted by vogue police censors as her vivid orange 2-piece was marred within the midriff by a protracted white shirt overlaying her stomach. She and her dancers nonetheless shook it up for the individuals with “I Heard,” “No Bounce,” “Good Time” and the gang favourite, “Gin in My System.”

The Cardinal Divas Drumline took the stage for a heart-racing 5-minute salute to Black Excellence with the Juneteenth vacation coming the next day, June nineteenth.

’90s Hip Hop-Jazz trio Digable Planets has been reuniting and re-reuniting over the past 7 years, giving followers potent ‘nickel baggage of funk’ from their heady, jazzy, mental but cultural classics from their extremely distinct two albums Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Area) [1993] and Blowout Comb [1994]. They symbolize an ideal for this pageant as their music definitively represents the dynamic crossing level of Hip Hop and Jazz. Giving a lot house to one another and their tight-to-death band, members Ishmael Butler (“Butterfly”), Mary Ann Vieira (“Ladybug Mecca”) and Craig Irving (“Doodlebug”) floated serenely advert expertly by gems resembling “The place I’m From,” “Pacifics,” “Cool Breezes,” “Jettin’” and their signature hit, “Cool Like Dat” which everybody had been ready for.

Backstage, Digable Planets had just a few salient issues to share with me about attainable new music to return. Irving acknowledged, “We’ve seasoned veteran band members so, there’s numerous freestyle vibin’ goin’ on. Out of a few of these interludes, we have a look at one another like, ‘Yo, that could possibly be a tune.’ Every night time is a distinct vibe. It’s the identical songs however all the time a distinct present.” Vieira shared, “We are typically tapped into life normally. So, we’ll have to take a seat down and focus on what’s most vital for us to the touch on now. It’s onerous to guess.” Butler concluded, “On this style of the tradition of music, one thing is dying. You don’t see 5 guys singing R&B anymore. Everyone desires to be a solo act. I’m very taken with holding the group vibe going, particularly with the reside musicians – furtherance of a convention. Additionally the political local weather right this moment…there’s some chilly shit taking place…they usually imply to point out it to you as a declaration of opposition and warfare. When you’re a musician and a creator and a thinker, the ball is in your courtroom to make one thing in opposition to issues that you simply see are uncool. The very best Hip Hop all the time spoke on what was happening in a inventive and poetic manner – a slick and stylized manner.” Vieira additionally hinted that they’ve been speaking to ninth Surprise about collaborating on some recording. Keep tuned for timber and bees and flowers.

They have been adopted by vocal siren Ledisi, a fire-power belter who gave the viewers some star energy in her femme-centric takes on soul, blues, and jazz.

Highlights from her 21 years of recordings included “It’s Alright,” a duet along with her background singer David Michael White that opened with the Luther Vandross association of Leon Russell’s “Celebrity” that slid into “Keep Collectively,” and Nina Simone’s “See Line Lady” taken from her newest CD, Ledisi Sings Nina.

The 2023 Hollywood Bowl Jazz Pageant closed out with Kamasi Washington’s mothership The West Coast Get Down handing over an exceptional wrap-up set joined by two particular friends. Following a “Piano Bar Medley” and the joints “Blackman” and “Crimson,” the singers and musicians have been joined by Leon Bridges in blues man mode singing a medley of “Born Once more,” “Unhealthy, Unhealthy Information” and “Kings and Queens.’

Then, following “Stroll Free” and a medley of tenor saxophonist big Joe Henderson’s “Resistance/Big Emotions,” Soul man Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Tone-fame strolled out with bass in hand in full rock star mode (to the musical bridge of Herbie Hancock’s “Come Working To Me”), then tightened up the dynamics of the sprawling ensemble proper fast to do a medley of his songs “You’re the One I Like,” “Sunshine” and the celestial yearn of “Sky Can You Really feel Me” – one other spotlight of the complete pageant as Kamasi used to play in Saadiq’s band so their vibe was tremendous tight.

The West Coast Get Down despatched us all dwelling with bassist Miles Mosley’s blazin’ “Abraham” and the closing prayer of John Coltrane’s everlasting “A Love Supreme” chant. Total…an exquisite weekend of music, tradition, and spirit.

(Written/reviewed by A. Scott Galloway – Photographs: Mathew Imaging/LA Phil – @mathewimaging)

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