JOSHUA REDMAN QUARTET PLUS 1 AT KOERNER HALL

In one of my first concerts since the pandemic happened, I decided to catch the sounds of Joshua Redman in an uniquely different setting at Koerner hall.

 

In addition to his stellar quartet, Redman adds vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa to perform repertoire from his first Blue Note release, “where are we”.  The program is a diverse collection of American popular song, stretching from the Great American songbook to contemporary pop standards delivered with grace, intensity and poetic clarity.

 

Upon listening to the concert, Gabrielle’s voice is very soothing, romantic, poetic and it complements the music provided by the quartet in this show.   She doesn’t do too much or too little with her voice, she ensures that her style gives beautiful foil to the presentation of the song.  Upon hearing her in the opening number “Going to Chicago”, she presents a unique vocal quaility that allows Redman and this group to feed off her style and present their own response to her vocal delivery.

 

Joshua Redman’s quartet provided the same sensitivity and at times emotional intensity when responding to Gabrielle’s vocals or just feeding off musically towards the band members. For instance, on the “Stars Fell From Alabama/Alabama” number, his quartet provided a range of emotional  intensity that keeps ramping up, allowing the members to feed off one other into a dynamic climax then resorts into a deep calm.   

 

Probably one of my favourite numbers performed by the quintet was a lightly swinging take on the old standard “Rhode Island”.    The lyrics were delivered in a romantic, innocent fashion and the band plays around the tune with swinging solos and a happy feel.   As the concert was more somber and meditative, Redman’s quartet and Gabrielles voice brings a happy step and some lighthearted swing to the evening.

 

For my first time back since the pandemic, Koerner Hall delivers again and again with this presentation of great musicians in their prime.  Joshua Redman shows himself to be capable modifying his style to accommodate a vocalist, and Gabriele is very sensational, sensitive and emotive which would serve her for years to come in the jazz industry.   Another unique performance with very high-calibre musicianship and quality to spare.    

 

 

 

 

 

FATHER STU

For the first time in four years, I decided to check out a movie that warrants repeated views and even generate Oscar buzz. I found that in the biological comedy-drama film which is "Father Stu". Mark Wahlberg plays the titular character which tries to find purpose and meaning in his life from being a professional boxer, then character actor, and then ultimately in his true calling and purpose, a Catholic priest. Wahlberg delivers in this performance by revealing the human and redemptive side of Father Stu, in all of his strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, failures and even a period of doubt. In addition, Mel Gibson also takes a memorable turn as Stu's father, emerging from an uninvolved, deadbeat drunkard of a dad until ultimately finding salvation himself by looking at his son's faith and example. It's very rare these days to go to the movies that leave you with a sense of purpose, awe, drive, and grace to get you through your dark days. "Father Stu" is one of those movies that does all these things and even more. If you're looking for a movie that provides inspiration but without all those bells and whistles of a blockbuster, you do yourself good by taking a chnce with this movie. Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

BRAD MEHLDAU: THREE PIECES AFTER BACH AT KOERNER HALL

Brad Mehldau: Three Pieces After Bach at Koerner Hall

On a beautiful spring Thursday night, I caught a brilliant solo piano concert by one of the premier pianists of our time, Brad Mehldau.    

This particular solo piano concert is a special one since it involves three commissioned works by Brad Mehldau that are being premiered for the first time in Canada.    The work, called “Three Pieces After Bach”, involves Brad playing a piece by Bach from the “Well Tempered Clavier” and then creating an original piece based on that selection, blurring the lines between composition and improvisation.

Hearing these commissioned works of art I detected a sense of searching new ways to tackle the timeless works of Bach through its lyricism, advanced harmonies, and intricate rhythms supplied by the sole pianist.    It also showed through the presentation that despite being a classically influenced work, it was a great exercise on showing how jazz improvisation and classical technique can be wonderfully married together into a cohesive performance.     This presentation also envisioned what Bach would sound like in the 21^st century, in which he would be a forward thinking jazz pianist and composer looking for new ways of expression and melody that could be harvested into new forms of expression.

At the end of a towering display of classical/jazz fusion, Brad returned to the stage for three encores, playing jazz versions of tunes written by McCartney and Lennon, Paul Simon, and Nick Drake.    The reading of “And I Love Her” was a very pensive, sensitive and mellow reading of a classic Beatles tune, transforming it into a performance that is lush, romantic, and full of soul.   The Paul Simon number, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”, is a rocking, finger snapping take on a classic 70’s hit, even hinting at gospel influences with the music.   The closing encore, Nick Drake’s “River Man”, is a towering concerto that brought soul-searching introspection into the performance, transforming it as a seminal work of art in Mehldau’s repertoire.

Overall, Brad Mehldau displayed brilliant piano mastery and composition with his performance that night, showing that he is one of the most important pianists to emerge in our time.    He has the ability to transform creative jazz from the most unlikely of sources and makes it his own through his romantic and sensitive performances.     A great showcase and kudos to Koerner Hall for allowing this commission to have its Canadian premier in their world-class facility.  

Conrad Gayle

@CON_RADICAL

OUT OF THE CLOSET

My 35^th year has got to be one of the most interesting years that I have ever faced.    The year started as business as usual serving at my local church, a visit from a missionary, and a Bible study.   Then I had a few jazz gigs here and there, and so forth.

But after my second gig up until now, was where the dark valley of the soul occurred.     This is talking about my fifth experience with bipolar depression.   I was so depressed I didn’t want to get out of bed or do anything.     The evils and the troubles of the world weighed me in.   In 2016 alone, icons such as David Bowie, Prince, and the great Muhammad Ali have passed on.   Out of the many attacks that have happened, the Orlando shootings have grabbed my attention.   First out of numbness, and then into bipolar meltdown.

The Bipolar meltdown came to the terms that I had to finally admit and say the dreaded three words that I would never see myself admitting: I’m gay.   This did not come as a party.   It did not come with a rainbow flag.   It came with weeping, mourning, and sadness knowing the pain and the journey that I have to accept.  Admitting these words show that my life as an evangelical Christian is going to change. 

This does NOT mean that I will find the next cute looking guy on the street and getting it on with him, because that is not what I’m about.    This does not mean that I will wear drag because the Bible forbids men to dress or act in feminine matters.   I will still live the same standards and Christian values that I was taught by my beloved parents and church, while facing this new reality.

My name is Conrad Gayle, and I came out of the closet stronger than ever.

2016 DONOR APPEAL

All my life there were two things that I wanted to do with my life.   One was to become a prominent jazz musician in my hometown of Toronto and hopefully out of that forge a worldwide career.    The other is excelling in my talents and gifts as a writer/critic for my popular blog post “The Conrad Gayle Review”.

2015 happened to be a big one for the success of the Conrad Gayle review.   In December, the blog reached an astounding 20,000 views and counting.   The content seemed to get exponentially large by posting over 140 articles ranging from concert reviews, CD reviews, food reviews, cultural phenomenon, and theological discourses.   My goal through my blog is to provide an intelligent, thought-provoking (and at times) humourous approach to the blog, and I feel that 2016 will just be about as big as it could get.

Sometimes the blog will be busy for weeks, and then not busy for weeks.   At times I would go through writers block and bouts of depression which deplete my creative juices from flowing.   But through it all, I am astounded and blessed by God at the modest success created by this blog, and it is only going to get better and better as the time goes by.

I normally don’t like asking anybody for money, but my vision and goal for blogging and music is to do this as a lucrative full time career.   I don’t see myself doing anything else but working in these two streams, and making sure that I get a lucrative means of living from doing it all.   I have a mound of CD’s that I want to review.   I have restaurants and concerts that I would love to profile.   But it all takes money to make things happen.      

This is why I am asking everyone.   If you enjoy this blog and are among the thousands of people that check it out on a daily basis, then please consider making a contribution of ANY amount towards the cause of my blogging and artistic efforts in Toronto.   You can find the “Donate” button on the right side of the blog to make an easy PayPal contribution.    

However, I just want to take this time to thank you all for making “The Conrad Gayle Review” become a great success as much as I enjoy providing content for all who are willing to read.

Take care and blessings,

Conrad Gayle.

http://conradgayle.blogspot.com

CD REVIEW: DREAM BY LANDEN VIEIRA

DREAM

Landen Viera

Independent

5 out of 5 Stars

At just 23 years of age, tenor saxophonist and composer Landen Vieira is quickly emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the Toronto jazz scene.   A student of the storied University of Toronto, Landen in his stunning debut album shows what jazz should be all about in this day and age. 

Landen is one who really respects the tradition of the music at such a young age.  In an age where young jazz cats are forgetting about swing, blues, groove, feel in favour of abstract explorations, odd time signatures, and making the music contemporary, Landen is showing everyone that it is cool to innovate yourself while still honouring the storied traditions of the jazz idiom.

For instance, “Light Piece” is a spritely bebop line that opens with sheer intensity and breakneck swing from Landen and his storied quartet of pianist Adrean Farrugia, bassist Malcolm Connor, and drummer Ethan Ardelli.   “Do It” is a groovy hard bop number that gets the core of the blues and groove down solid and doesn’t even let go. 

However, two of my favourite pieces of the album, tend to show Landen at his most expressive and his most soulful.   “Dove” is probably one of the most effective ballads ever written by the current young cats, which brings an Ellingtonian vibe into the mix that is purely sublime.   The title track “Dream”, shifts from 12/8 Latin feel into a driving 4/4 minor groove that is completely arresting and sorely theatrical.

If you want a CD from a young cat who knows the history of the music and does it with such conviction, run, don’t walk to pick up this record.   This may very well be the best debut record coming from a young jazz musician in the year of 2015, signaling the glorious hope of the future of jazz in Canadian culture.

MY 2015 MUSICAL YEAR IN REVIEW

CD’S:

1) Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining: The Jerome Kern Songbook

Almost approaching 90, Tony Bennett shows with this album that he is a fine wine that simply gets better and better with age.   This album featuring the sensitive piano styling’s of piano great Bill Charlap (featured in solo, in duo with his pianist wife Renee Rosnes and in his classic trio with Peter Washington on Bass and Kenny Washington on Drums) takes the timeless songs of Jerome Kern and makes it a definitive statement in 21^st century jazz and popular song.   Quite frankly one of the best CD’s of 2015 hands down.   Highlights:  All The Things You Are, Pick Yourself Up, The Way You Look Tonight, Yesterdays, and Look for the Silver Lining.

2) Landen Vieira: Dream

One of the most stunning jazz debuts in a long time from a 23-year-old saxophonist and composer wunderkind from Toronto.   Hearing his playing shows real depth, emotion, and maturity well beyond his years, and his writing has echoes of some of the best composers in jazz such as Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Wayne Shorter.    It is also a record that respects the tradition of jazz while taking the music forward.  

3) Various Artists: Oscar With Love

Kelly Peterson, Oscar’s widow, produced and orchestrated this well executed valentine for Oscar Peterson Fans with this stunning and well priced three CD set.   It comprises of mostly Oscar Peterson compositions played in solo and duo configurations, and all pianists played on Oscar’s home piano in their home studio.   This is a collection that all fans of the great Oscar Peterson should run and get a hold of.

CONCERTS:

Christian McBride Big Band – high-octane swinging big band led by one of the top bass players in the world

Blind Boys of Alabama:  Free concert during Panamania that brought the gospel soul and rhythms to an infections audience

Danilo Perez Panamania: Danilo Perez, with orchestra, and a quartet featuring Miguel Zenon, John Pattitucci and Brian Blade, premiering an arresting work especially commissioned for the Pan American celebrations in Toronto

David Virelles and Gnosis:   Avant Garde Latin-jazz at its most intense, rhythmic, and melodic from viruostic Cuban pianist and composer David Virelles.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic: One Nation Under A Groove.  Tear The Roof Off The Sucker (Give Up The Funk).   Nuff Said.

Snarky Puppy:   the premier jazz jam band of all time played an arresting set of high octane funk and electric jazz to a packed audience.   One of the most electric moments I have ever encountered.

Oscar @ 90:  Star Studded concert spectacular celebrating the release of the brand new “Oscar With Love” recording, with Benny Green, Robi Botos, Oliver Jones, Bill Charlap, Renee Rosnes, Kenny Barron and Gerald Clayton taking turns on Oscar’s very own Bosendorfer piano.

- Conrad Gayle

TWITTER:  @CON_RADICAL