SF Jazz Collective

Miguel Zenon, Photo by Don Berryman

The first composition of the evening was Andre Hayward's "Serene Intentions," with numerous intricate layers written for the entire group. This set the tone for the evening, in which the Collective seemed to take a more rigidly structured approach than last year. In general, there were fewer long solos, with more explorations of sonic color and unison themes. My guess is that Collective arranger Gil Goldstein is making his voice heard more strongly this go around. Hayward and Nola trumpeter Nicholas Payton each took solos on "Serene Intentions," which were a little rough due to some loose drumming from Eric Harland. I suspect that improvisation proved to be more of a challenge than usual in these through-composed pieces, but during most of the show you would never know it, and for the rest of the evening Harland did nothing but dazzle. He is by far one of the most talented and versatile drummers in the contemporary jazz scene.

A rare opportunity then unfolded, in which a group of immensely talented individuals tackled a canonical piece of modern jazz, Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage." The SF Jazz Collective took it at a slower pace than both the original 1965 studio recording and the 1985 live recording at Town Hall with Bobby Hutcherson (as seen on the One Night With Blue Note DVD). While the arrangement favored some odd stylistic choices, including one abrupt pause, Hutcherson gave the solo of the evening here, stretching the melody through a complex series of triplets with a musical mind that is at once incredibly advanced and entirely accessible.

Nicholas Payton, Photo by Don Berryman

Two more Hancock compositions revealed a groovy stylistic thread between his early sessions and his later fusion work. "Tell Me A Bedtime Story," based on his music for the animated "Fat Albert" series, was a colorful piece (with Redman switching from tenor to soprano sax, and Zenon taking up the flute) that had Harland rocking the cymbals like a '70s cop show theme. "And What If I Don't" was more laid-back, invoking a sidewalk strut and a soulful solo from Zenon.

Joshua Redman, Photo by Don Berryman

Hutcherson's "Immanent Treasures" also reminded me of a classic tune, "A Night In Tunisia," with a more abstract quality suggestive of several classic Hutcherson ballads (such as "Visions" from the 1968 Spiral LP). Eric Harland's "Triumph" made for a wonderful climax. Fittingly, "Triumph" began with a stirring horn fanfare and featured a lovely, gentle solo from Payton which brought to mind Guy Barker's work with XTC, combining the emotional immediacy of pop music with the sophisticated complexity of jazz.

A gracious encore of Rosnes' "Mirror Image" allowed us one more demonstration of Hutcherson's hot flyin' mallets before we were turned back out into the cold night. Rarely does education get so neatly (and slyly) wrapped in entertainment like this.

The SF Jazz Collective will continue touring the United States and abroad through mid-April. Discounted pre-orders are now available for their 2006 Tour CD: www.sfjazz.org