About What We Live, Lisle Ellis' band with Larry Ochs (tenor, sopranino), Donald Robinson (drums) which I heard and loved in October 1997 (as part of ROVA's 20th anniversary year celebrations).

On Friday night, in the continuing celebration, What We Live was joined by Leo Smith (whose composition was featured later that evening by ROVA). Larry Ochs' tenor melodies, "conversational" leads, pitch/dynamics mastery was something to hear; Donald Robinson shifts rhythms rapidly, seamlessly, and to repeat, rhythmically. Leo probed muted trumpet aiming the bell at the floor, later opening, sans mute, into some hot exchanges with Larry that had everyone soaring.

Afterward, when my friend Jim told Leo he liked the close playing (the two in a similar range, handling congruent melodies/rhythm), Leo grinned and said something both simple and opaque ("heavy") which I am struggling to remember. Sorry, if this turns into a shaggy dog! Anyway, it was great to hear Leo playing in an intimate theater in a small ensemble.

Jammin'!