“There’s a physical electricity to Hargrove’s performance that is not terribly common in jazz.” –David Adler  Roy Hargrove © Ian Gittler  Roy Hargrove © Howard A. Gitelson Inspired by gospel, R&B and funk while growing up in Waco, Texas, Hargrove was a trumpet prodigy, already working with Frank Morgan and “discovered” by Wynton Marsalis before he finished high school at the Booker T. Washington School for the Performing Arts in Dallas. Later he dropped his studies at Berklee in Boston to move to New York, enroll at the New School, and concentrate on his career as leader, sideman and major label recording artist. In addition to the funky RH Factor, he has explored Afro Cuban rhythms, pop, and above all, eclectic, straight ahead jazz, in the highly acclaimed company of Herbie Hancock and Michael Brecker and the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Band, as well as with his own Quintet. The current edition of the Roy Hargrove Quintet has been together for four years, and their latest recording, Nothing Serious, was recently released on Verve. It’s a tight band that includes veteran pianist Ronnie Matthews, young alto monster Justin Robinson, eclectic bassist D’Wayne Bruno, and Hargrove’s long-time drummer, Willie Jones III. The Roy Hargrove Quintet is a high energy, interactive, soulful collaboration. And it will be live at Catalina’s, 6725 West Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, April 4th - 8th. www.catalinajazzclub.com; shows at 8:30 & 10:30 pm; Sunday 7:30 & 9:30 pm. |
Sunday, 07 September 2008
