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 Rodney Green © Andrea Canter Young jazz drummer Rodney Green will join with special guest, the legendary bassist and NEA jazz master Ron Carter, pianist Mulgrew Miller and guitarist Lage Lund for what promises to be a an extraordinary weekend engagement at Cachaça in New York City on Friday, January 18th and Saturday, January 19th at 9:00 and 11:00 PM.
By his early teens, Green was playing drums in church, but outside he was being exposed to other kinds of music like jazz. His older cousin, also a musician, introduced Rodney to jazz, funk, and soul music, and (along with his high school band teacher) started him listening records like, “A Love Supreme,” “Transition,” and “Four More”. He was blown away by Elvin Jones and Tony Williams—all of the sounds they got out of the drums as well as their range, style and technique. Rodney soon realized that music could be a profession, and not just a hobby. He knew that playing the drums was his calling. Percussionist Scott Robinson was impressed with Rodney’s playing but realized the young drummer didn’t realize what he was doing, since he was just playing by ear. Robinson offered to teach him for free, and at 14 years old, Rodney got his first lesson.
 Mulgrew Miller © Andrea Canter
It wasn’t long before the young musician started to sneak out to local clubs to see live music and play gigs. He got to know many of the up and coming musicians on the Philadelphia jazz scene including pianist, Orrin Evans, trumpeter, Duane Eubanks, and bassist Christian McBride. At the age of 16, friend and drummer Brian Frasier Moore left his gig at Patti LaBelle’s club, Chez LaBelle, and Rodney took over. He influenced the club’s manager to start a Sunday Jazz Brunch, and soon Green was booking musicians like pianist, Evans and saxophonist Sam Newsome at the club. Legendary musician, Bobby Watson was so impressed with the young drummer that he called his parents to ask their permission to take Green to Italy with him, and after much persuasion, they agreed.
By age 17 Green, still in high school, was traveling internationally and doing an occasional gig in New York City. After such an occasion, legendary drummer Billy Higgins unexpectedly walked into Sweet Basil, and finished a set. Rodney went home and packed his bags. His desire to make his mark on the jazz scene had intensified, and one week after graduation, Green took the money that he had saved money from his gigs, and moved to the New York. He got on the scene and quickly developed a name for himself. He was a favorite sub and at only 17 years old, had a remarkable range and a reputation for being an extremely professional young musician. Word continued to spread about the talented young drummer, and Green spent the next couple of years playing with the likes of Christian McBride, Eric Reed, Greg Osby, Joe Henderson, Benny Green, Tom Harrell, and Mulgrew Miller.
 Ron Carter
NEA Jazz Master, Ron Carter is one of the premier bass players of the second half of the 20th century, his dexterity and harmonic sophistication have few rivals in the history of the instrument in jazz. In 1963 he joined Miles Davis in what would become the trumpeter’s second great quintet, eventually including Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, and Herbie Hancock. He remained with Miles from 1963-1968 whereupon he grew tired of the rigors of the road, preferring to freelance, lead his own groups, and teach. Among the cooperative bands he performed with during the remainder of the 1960s were the New York Jazz Sextet, and the New York Bass Choir. Through the 1970s he was a recording studio bassist in high demand, though he never stopped gigging with a variety of artists and bands, and several touring all-star units. These included the CTI All-Stars, V.S.O.P. (ostensibly a reunion of the Davis band minus the leader), and the Milestone Jazzstars.
Rodney Green biographic information adaapted from www.rodneygreenmusic.com.
Fri & Sat 18 & 19 with special guest Ron Carter, Mulgrew Miller and Lage Lund. 9 and 11.
Cachaça is located at 35 West 8th St (bet. 5th & 6th Aves.) in New York. For mor information call 212-388-9099 or visit www.cachacajazz.com. The cover is $20 with a $10 minimum. |
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Thursday, 20 November 2008
