DCist Preview: Dave Douglas
Trumpeter Dave Douglas cites the great Miles Davis as a major influence, not just as a player, but also in terms of musical philosophy. The jazz legend had an extremely expansive and inclusive take on music, so it's no surprise that Douglas, like his idol, has carved out a career as a musical chameleon. Often referred to as an avant-gardist because of his work with John Zorn's Masada and other groups, Douglas's music cannot be confined to such narrow labels.
"When you do something different, it’s seen as something people don’t get. I feel like I am looking for unexpected beauty. If that's avant-garde, so be it," Douglas recently told DCist.
His most recent project, a group called Brass Ecstasy, has nothing to do with the avant-garde. A band that explores everything from traditional New Orleans to classic soul and even country, the group appeals to jazz sophisticates and neophytes alike on its first release, Spirit Moves. The ensemble's infectious sound will be on full display tonight at Blues Alley.
The group augments Douglas's versatile trumpet sound with Vincent Chancey on french horn, trombonist Luis Bonilla, and of particular note is tubist Marcus Rojas, whose funky lines perfectly complement the deep pocket of drummer Nasheet Waits. The material leaves plenty of space for these talented players to flex their musical chops.
"I always try to get the player’s voice in by leaving certain things open," Douglas explained. "I try to leave enough space so that people can do their thing. That’s a little different than the typical brass band."
A clear influence here is Lester Bowie, the late great trumpeter and provocateur, another musician who wore many hats, one of which was his seminal Brass Fantasy ensemble. That group not only had an effect on the sound Douglas sought, but also the material he chose for his band. The songbook includes the Hank Williams classic, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", as well as Otis Redding's "Mister Pitiful".
"Lester always covered pop tunes. It gave me a chance to cover music by my favorite artists," said Douglas.
Douglas's enthusiasm for this project is palpable, a sentiment that is sure to carry over in live performance. But always one to follow his muse, Douglas looks at this group through a wide angle lens.
"A lot of the game in modern jazz is context, people putting things in unusual formats. [Brass Ecstasy] is exciting because it's a format I’ve never worked with," he said.
Dave Douglas and Brass Ecstasy will be playing 8 and 10 p.m. sets tonight at Blues Alley. Tickets are $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.