Those present on Saturday night to see ace drummer Terri Lyne Carrington (pictured left) witnessed a performance that showcased a strong tension that exists in today’s jazz scene. On the one hand, those who celebrate musicianship, free-flowing improvisation, and a dedication to craft would have appreciated the high level of artistry that was on display during Saturday night’s first set at the KC Jazz Club. On the other, those of us who value the emotional connection between musicians and audience found the show lacking.

With a Tony Williams-esque drum flourish, Carrington began the show and with her band turned the standard, “Angel Eyes”, into a 20-minute post-bop workout. While there were no missteps, in fact the playing was top-notch, this song illustrated a problem that arises in a jazz world where groups are simply thrown together for one-off gigs. There was no strong group cohesion during last night’s set and therefore no true ensemble sound. While each player was expressive individually, the whole amounted to no more than the sum of its parts.