Ron Carter @ Bohemian Caverns
Every so often, there are performances that we know are going to be special even before a single note is played, and that was exactly the case at last night's early set at Bohemian Caverns. The historic club is well on its way to becoming the District's best jazz spot, so it's only fitting that it play home for three nights to jazz legend Ron Carter, who has been at the music's vanguard through five decades.
The evening's tone was set the very moment Carter & Co. took the stage. Wearing sharply tailored suits, the ensemble exuded class and elegance, with the distinguished bassist acting as elder statesman while showing us the true meaning of gravitas. And the 71-year old master did not disappoint. With the help of a supremely talented band, he delivered a set that was just as fresh as anything played by someone half his age, making for a very special night, indeed.
The ensemble featured the wit of pianist Stephen Scott, the color of percussionist Rolando Morales-Matos, and the solid foundation of drummer Payton Crossley. From the downbeat of the first tune's Latin groove, the four veteran musicians had a strong group simpatico that produced a rich sound that results from the best in musicianship and experience. No note was out of place, and there was no showing off. Like Goldilock's porridge, everything was just right.
The rhythmic elasticity of the group updates that which Carter helped pioneer with Miles Davis during the 1960s. With no breaks, the music blended together into a seamless cloth where it was not clear where one song or solo ended and another began. The musicians sparkled on all fronts, but it was Morales-Matos who was the night's surprise. Whether adding a simple rhythm on triangle, or furiously soloing on talking drum, his playing was the epitome of taste and the the band would have completely changed character in his absence.
Miles's spirit was present throughout the 90-minute set. "Seven Steps to Heaven" included strong solos by Scott and Crossley, with the latter displaying a melodicism on the drums that made his more technical passages all the more intense. The group's interpretation of "Flamenco Sketches", from the Davis classic, A Kind of Blue, updated the moody piece by adding bolero-esque flourishes. A highlight was Carter's bass solo, which began as a duet with the percussionist, but then showcased his perfect tone and brilliant sense of harmony. The concert closed with the soft spoken Carter announcing another standard from the Davis songbook, "My Funny Valentine". The creative arrangement took many twists and turns, with extended solos and repeated motifs, and eventually rested on a sweet groove that signaled the night's fitting end.
The Ron Carter Quartet performs 8:30 and 11:00 p.m. sets tonight and tomorrow at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets are $40.