JENNY SCHEINMAN

In the Now
John Yao Quintet (Innova)
by Donald Elfman
Trombonist John Yao understands the improvisational
music tradition and its attendant vocabulary with the
ability to assemble elements in fresh and different
ways. His avowed modus operandi explores the way
opposites work together and, with that, comes, as in all
jazz groupings, the relationship between the individual
and the group.
Such exploration can be heard in several instances
where Yao takes what first sounds like a free floating
melody and places it over a soon-recognizable groove.
On “Funky Sunday”, the groove emerges first with
Randy Ingram’s Hammond organ, Leon Boykins’ bass
and Will Clark’s drums, then the horns - Yao and
frontline partner Jon Irabagon on alto or soprano
saxophone - send forth a sinuous and beautifully exotic
theme. Suddenly, there is a stop and the organ pulses
an even funkier foundation as Yao plays a solo both in
the pocket as well as flying out into the open air. Tunes
like “Snafu” and “Not Even Close” have a jeu d’esprit
that moves them beyond convention and into playful
new areas.
The ballads are something else again. “For NDJ”
begins as an ethereal waltz for trombone and drums,
26 March 2013 | THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
but as bass and Fender Rhodes enter, there’s a deep,
romantic sensibility coming to the fore. It’s a love song
- plaintive and wistful - but it moves forward with an
energy beyond the standard ballad.
The intriguingly titled “Shorter Days” - a possible
double entendre referring both to winter and the
compositional approach of Wayne Shorter - is bold and
expressive, holding its languorous and sensual pace
even as the solos become animated. Powerful trombone
opens the tune a cappella then the rest of the band digs
down with great individual contributions.
On his debut, Yao has created a vital and
communicative approach, modern yet expanding upon
what has come before.
For more information, visit innova.mu. This group is at
Cornelia Street Café Mar. 7th. See Calendar.
Eponymous
Many Arms (Tzadik)
by Wilbur MacKenzie
The latest release from Philadelphia trio Many Arms
is their first for the Spotlight series on John Zorn’s
Tzadik label and their third to date. An intense,
virtuosic update of the classic rock power trio, Many
Arms is made up of guitarist Nick Millevoi, electric
bassist Johnny DeBlase and drummer Ricardo
Lagomasino. As with previous releases, this album
favors long-form compositions, which effortlessly
integrate complex written material with very loose,
high-energy improvisational excursions. Amazingly,
their albums consistently convey the energy and
intensity of their live performances.
The album features one track from each member
of the trio. Millevoi’s “Beyond Territories” opens, the
first few minutes a series of jarring arrhythmic unison
repetitive lines, ultimately giving way to high-energy
free playing, intermittently returning to the seemingly
endless parade of anti-riffs over the course of the
piece’s 16 minutes. The middle track, “In Dealing with
the Laws of Physics on Planet Earth”, written by
DeBlase, is an extended ruminative journey through
twisted sonorities and hard-edged punctuations, as
repetitive arpeggios are underscored by heavy
ensemble passages. Ironically, in this case, the quietest
moments on this recording are by far the most
delightfully unsettling. Proceeding at a glacial pace,
the tune eventually builds to a robust crescendo of
shifting odd-time signatures. Lagomasino’s “Rising
Artifacts in a Five-Point Field” opens with some of the
most abstract sonic explorations on the disc, from
which emerge a series of long, lightning-speed unison
riffs and wailing guitar melodies floating over the
torrential storm created by bass and drums.
On their latest release, Many Arms continue to
refine their radical approach to integrating loud rock
with expansive free improvisation and rigorous
compositional pursuits, reaching new levels of
creativity, concept and execution.
For more information, visit tzadik.com. This group is at The
Stone Mar. 8th. See Calendar.
Cobi Narita presents: now at Zeb’s
EVERY SATURDAY
At Zeb’s, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cobi Narita presents MOVIES & OPEN MIC SESSION.
From 1 p.m., MOVIES of legendary Black Artists, shown by WALTER TAYLOR;
followed by OPEN MIC SESSION for Singers, Tap Dancers & Instrumentalists,
hosted by FRANK OWENS, Music Director & piano, from 3 to 6 p.m. $10. AUDIENCE WELCOME!
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
At ZEB’s, from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight, Paul Ash and Cobi Narita present, in cooperation with
Women (In) Jazz and the Jazz Foundation, one concert of the 11th Annual LADY GOT CHOPS Women’s
History Month Music & Arts Festival: “MUSI-ARTI-COPIA”, flash mob round robin jazz plus project,
featuring Mem Nadahr, vocals; Meg Montgomery, trumpet; Andrea Brachfeld, flute;
Sheryl Renee, vocals; Lisette Santiago, percussion; Nikita White, vocals; Bertha Hope, piano;
Claudia Hayden, flute; and Kim Clarke, bass
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
At Zeb’s, from 7 p.m., Cobi Narita presents
WILLIE MAE PERRY in Concert, “SomeoneTo Watch Over Me”,
with the Frank Owens Trio, with Frank Owens, Music Director & piano;
Paul West, bass; Greg Bufford, drums. $15
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
At Zeb’s, from 8 p.m., Cobi Narita presents
EMIKO MIZOGUCHI and DEREK HOOD in Concert,
with the Frank Owens Trio, with Frank Owens, Music Director & piano;
Paul West, bass; Greg Bufford, drums. $15
ZEB’S, 223 W. 28 Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues)
2nd Fl walk-up. Info: 516-922-2010