Christian Scott, photo by Kiel Scott. The past few years have seen a new term arise within the jazz lexicon. “Stretch music” has become a phrase that journalists, as well as the musicians themselves, have started using to describe a new approach to music making. Robert Glasper, Casey Benjamin and Esperanza Spalding have all put out music that is jazz at its core, respectful of its traditions and improvisational focus, but which also seeks to embrace any and every influence that may seep into the artist’s voice. Another musician that belongs on this list is Christian Scott. Considered by many to be among the finest of his generation, the 29-year old trumpeter has wholeheartedly embraced the idea of stretch music.
Scott has gone full bore with this concept on his recently released album, Christian a Tunde Adjuah, whose name is taken from a moniker Scott has adopted for himself. He will be playing material from the recording during a four-night stand with his quintet, beginning tonight, at Bohemian Caverns.
“Yesterday You Said Tomorrow was a thesis that the younger guard would refer to as ‘stretching,'” Scott told DCist, referring to his 2010 album. “This record is the first real document. It’s more of a vision.”
Given Scott’s background, it’s only natural for him to take the explorer’s path. He hails from the musical melting pot that is New Orleans, whose musical tradition is rooted in the blending of cultures and experiences. Scott’s intention for the new album was to make it a representation of his personal history as well his world view.
“A lot of younger artists are scared to show their perspectives because they’re inundated with a type of musical environment designed to ensure artists musical survival, as opposed to showing what they feel,” Scott explained. “I have a perspective and that unique perspective should be coveted and not shunned.”
Christian a Tunde Adjuah is a double album that clocks in at just under two hours. The effort was recorded live in the studio, capturing the experience of how the formidable musicians react to one another in the moment. The recording contains a lot of information that would demand much of any listener in one sitting. However, Scott is not concerned with saturating anyone’s ears because of the way music is consumed today. The recording is also priced as a single album, giving purchasers more bang for their buck.
“I wanted to try to make a document that was long enough so that people could get their fill for longer period of time,” said Scott. “We actually recorded enough songs for it to be a triple album.”
The same musicians who performed on the recording will also join Scott this weekend, after having spent the early part of the summer on a European tour. The band includes drummer Jamire Williams, guitarist Matt Stevens and alto saxophonist Louis Fouché. Area jazz fans are already familiar with Scott’s bassist, Kris Funn, who earned his reputation playing with The Young Lions and is now making waves with CornerStore.
Scott told DCist that he did not have a very good experience during his last performance in D.C., largely due to the management at the large performing arts center in which he played. This weekend’s audiences can therefore look forward to the band in its own element, playing at what Scott referred to as “quietly my favorite club in America.” Scott also looks forward to the enthusiastic audience that Bohemian Caverns tends to draw.
“I just the listener to walk away in a better place than they were when they got there,” he said. “For me, music is one of those things that helps people transition through their experience.”
Christian Scott & Co. will be performing tonight through Sunday at Bohemian Caverns. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sets tonight, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9 p.m. sets on Sunday. $22-$28.
