I just got back from a Stanley Turrentine concert at Tilles Center--a concert hall/theater on the campus of C.W. Post College in Greenvale, NY on Long Island.
The opening band was a group headed by Mark Morganelli on trumpet and flugelhorn. The band featured Onaje Allan Gumbs on piano, Vic Juris on guitar, Scott Lee on bass, and Sylvia Cuenca on drums. The program listed Donald Harrison on alto also, but Morganelli explained that he left for Spain the previous day for a gig with his own band.
The group played mostly straight ahead jazz, opening with "Speak Low", and including such songs as "Stella By Starlight" and Jobim's "Triste". I found Morganelli to be a relatively unexciting improviser whose solos were competent, but unoriginal. Gumbs had some interesting moments, as he usually does. However, by far the most impresive soloist in this group was guitarist Juris. He played great flowing, harmonically interesting lines whatever the tempo. He also comped nicely behind the other solos. The highlight of the group's set was "Stella by Starlight" featuring Juris. His solo was like a demonstration of everything the guitar is capable of--single string lines, chords, and natural and artificial harmonics. Yet the solo never seemed like it was a demonstration. All the various techniques were employed by Juris in a totally musical way! I had never heard him play before and would be interested in any information anyone on the list has about him.
The weakest part of the group was the rhythm section. The bass player, Lee, had decent chops, but didn't really swing, and his solos were very repetitive. The drummer seemed to have a problem with time, and I felt she turned the time around a couple of times.
Overall assessment: Juris made it worth listening to this group. I've got to hear more from him.
After the intermission, Turrentine's group came on. The band comprised Kenny Drew Jr. on piano, Greg Skaff on guitar, Greg Dolphin (or Dawson?) on bass and Ron Johnson on drums. From the first notes you hear--and feel--the difference in the two bands. Unlike Morganelli's rhythm section which just slogged along, this rhythm section *swung*. Even my wife, who is not a jazz fan said she hear the difference.
The group did one number by themselves before they were joined on stage by Stanley. The number was a fairly up tempo version of "Blue Monk". Nice solos by Skaff and Drew.
Then Turrentine added his presence to the group and showed he hasn't lost a thing. He has been one of my favorite tenor players since I first heard him in the early 60's. The set he played included the gamut from Ellington ("In a Sentimental Mood") to Billy Taylor to Coltrane (can't remember the titles) to Marvin Gaye ("Don't Mess with Mister T"). Turrentine infuses even the schlock like "Don't Mess with Mister T" and "Pieces of Dreams" with his soulful sound and feeling. He's equally at home playing bop or "funk" and it's all *real* jazz.
As far as the rest of the group, Drew was clearly the standout. Every solo was technically, rhythmically and harmonically interesting. And he swung like mad! Skaff (another guitar player I haven't heard before) has great chops and a great ear, but his solos with the possible exception of his solo on "Blue Monk", all sounded repetitive and derivative. The bassist swung and played great walking bass, but his solos were nothing to speak of. Johnson, the drummer, was excellent. Impeccable time and interesting solos (and I'm not usually a fan of drum solos).
Overall assessment: A very enjoyable concert by one of the great pros playing at his usual high level with an excellent band behind him.