Stanley Clarke © Michael Kurgansky

As the concert opens on October 24, 2002, we are treated to Clarke playing the double bass in pizzacato fashion, backed by a very good orchestra.

The first song after the beautiful introduction features Clarke and Armand Sabbal-Lecco serenading each other on bass guitar during George Duke and Clarke’s composition “Wild Dog”. There is some great footage of Clarke fingering his fretboard.

Stanley Clarke © Grover White

Clarke’s finger picking technique with upward strokes creates warm tones for the Charles Mingus tune “Goodbye Porkpie Hat,” as he switches to bass guitar. Bathed in mauve and blue floodlights Clarke is accompanied by saxophonist Glenn Berger, trumpet player Bob Summers, Mike McGuffey (trumpet), Doug Webb (sax) and trombonist Reggie Young.

We are treated to Karen Briggs’ masterful bow work with her violin during five of the songs, but her performance on “Song To John,” is particularly noteworthy. Briggs is accompanied by Bela Fleck on electric banjo and Clarke who reverts back to the contrabass. With Clarke establishing a solid bass line, Fleck and Briggs participate in an instrumental call and response for much of the middle minutes of “Song To John”.

The concert in support of the Stanley Clarke Scholarship Fund is warm, intimate, and in the case of this DVD inviting to the viewer. The fund was established to provide financial assistance to young musicians through scholarship awards to the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, California.

Stanley Clarke © Werner Loipersbek

Backed by a horn section that serves up reminders of Tower Of Power’s best days, Clarke and Company party as they perform “Big Jam”. Keyboardists Nick Smith and Rodney Franklin are featured. There is a spectacular drum duet shared by Sheila E. and Copeland, followed by a solo from E. Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers creates some unbelievable riffs during his guitar solo.

The performance to be treasured however in a concert full of jewels is Stevie Wonder’s keyboard and vocals on the song “Everyday I Have The Blues”. The camera provides a close look as Wonder strokes the keys.

We have only touched the tip of the proverbial iceberg in naming some of the numerous incomparable artists who appear during the course of this concert. We have not even mentioned Wayman Tisdale, Paul Jackson Jr. or Brian Bromberg. There are also some good interviews included with this DVD.

If you are a true music fan no matter what genre you lean towards, you will want to add Night School An Evening With Stanley Clarke & Friends to your collection.

Stanley Clarke
Night School (DVD)

HUVD7118
UPC: 0-53361-7118-9-4
Release Date: March 27, 2007

DVD Chapter Listing:

1. The Floor
2. Wild Dog
3. Goodbye Porkpie Hat
4. Song to John
5. The Lochs of Dread
6. Frequent Flyer
7. Anna Mae
8. Theme from Boyz 'N The Hood
9. Big Jam
10. Every Day I Have The Blues
11. Giant Steps
12. School Days