John Lindberg and Leo Smith at Kerrytown
Concert House
Bassist
John Lindberg is back in Michigan for a spell and I had the fortune
to hear him at the Kerrytown Concert House on January 13. Lindberg,
a Detroit native, invited trumpeter Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith
from New York to join him in these intimate surroundings. The two first
met through their association with the innovative saxophonist Anthony
Braxton. Lindberg told us that "Leo taught me how to use space
in music when I first got to New York [in the late 1970s]."
Smith's distinctive approach
to the trumpet does indeed use a lot of silences and it was particularly
evident on his two solo pieces for the evening. On the duo pieces Smith
and Lindberg worked expertly together, with Lindberg switching from
repetitive rhythmic patterns to melodic commentary. Lindberg is, of
course, a consummate small group player, as one might guess from knowing
that he has been a long-time member of the String Trio of New York.
One of his solo pieces, "Common Goal," was a real tour de
force. Lindberg developed increased tension as he switched between pizzicato
and arco playing. In contrast, his second solo piece, "Sophie's
Lullaby," was a pretty theme with variations. The duo's last piece
was an homage to Mingus and was a swinging finale to a wonderful night
of music.
I N - T H I S - I S S U E :
1. RECENT RECORDINGS---2.
JAZZISTRY
3. LINDBERG & SMITH---HOME
