Went to Freddie Hubbard's 60th birthday Celebration at the Vision Theatre here in Los Angeles last night. This was a presentation of the Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble performing in honor of his birthday.
The show started off with the Horace Tapscott Quintet which consisted of Tapscott (p), Al Hines (b), Donald Dean and Bill Madison (d) (two sets of Traps), Michael Session (saxes) and Phil Ranelin (tmb) and percussionist Najite. Tapscott came out on one crutch, favoring his right leg. Also with the Quintet were the Voices of UGMAA (Under God Musicians and Artists in Ascension) which is a choir that featured 9 women and 5 men.
They started with a tune that was a traditional African song mixed with avant garde/free jazz. It featured Tapscott playing the strings of his piano, pounding away as he can, really kind of out there. This tune also featured Sessions on Soprano Sax. UGMAA sang with a style that is/was remeniscent of chorus' from old stage shows, especially on the second tune "Why Don't You Listen". This was a tune that had a tom-tom beat, but very powerful lyrics. It really sounded like an ensemble chrous from Oklahoma or something. Tapscott kept limping around the stage (without crutch) to adjust Sessions mike or dance or direct the band or chorus. He's really a funny guy.
After the introduction of the band, they broke into a tune written by Carmel Kronk (sp) "Close to Freedom (we ain't no more slaves)" . Not familiar with the song but it featured Rag style playing by H.T. "Africa (people like us)" was a fun song with Michael Sessions amazing everyone on the tenor. Then Dwight Trible lead everyone with an inspiring vocal on "Little Africa" that evolved into "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing", a great song with Sessions again providing fireworks on the soprano Sax.
They were followed immediately by the Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble which consisted of Renelin (tmb), George E, Harper,Jr. (reeds and flute), Jeff Babko (p), Henry Franklin (b) Carl Burnett (d) and Taumbu on percussion. The group started off with a pretty piece written by Ranelin in response to a trip he took to Africa. He visited one of the slave castles and was very moved by the experience. This tune, "Tears for Elmina" was named for that castle. Harper did a nice solo and Babko did more than a decent job.
Next, up was "One for J.C.", a nice straight ahead piece which featured Henry Franklin. Then they broke into "Solar" with nice solos by Harper and Babko, but the solos by Burnett and Taumbu were less than inspiring. I've seen 'em both performed better. The band then broke into a latin tune written by Joe Henderson, "Recordame". Ranelin did a short intro and then turned it over to Harper who up did his best work so far in the evening. But the star of the tune was again Babko. This guy is good. Plays both hands, left is okay, right is very good.
The last tune of the first set was "Birdlike". After they had started the tune, Freddie asks the M.C. James Janisse to ask Ranelin to ask Babko if he could sit in on piano. Babko said sure and away Freddie went. He really did a decent job with his support of the other musicians and his solo.
Anyway, the next part of the show was presentations and intermission.
Stay tuned for the second set.