One of the famed alumni of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Cedar Walton is one of the most acclaimed—and busy—pianists of his generation. In time for Valentine’s Day, Walton brings a sextet of masters to Yoshi’s, first in San Francisco, February 12-13, then crosses the Bay to Oakland, February 14-17.
Taught piano by his mother in his native Dallas, Cedar Walton studied music at the University of Denver before moving to New York in 1955. The Army became his first significant gig, however, and his early bandmates while stationed in Germany included Leo Wright, Don Ellis, and Eddie Harris. After returning to New York, he recorded and/or played with Keny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet and John Coltrane (Giant Steps)in the late 50s and early 60s. He became a Jazz Messenger in 1961, joining Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard for three years. In the mid to late 60s, we worked as Abbey Lincoln’s accompanist, recorded with Art Farmer, Hank Mobley, Pat Martino, Charles McPherson and Lee Morgan, and served as “house pianist” for Prestige Records. He also co-lead a bop quartet with saxmen Clifford Jordan, George Coleman, or Ralph Moore; bassists Sam Jones or David Williams, and drummer Billy Higgins, an ensemble that became Eastern Rebellion in 1975. Also in the mid 70s, Walton rejoined Blakey for a tour of Japan and again recorded with Art Farmer.
Steve Turre
During the mid 70s, Walton also headed Mobius and Soundscapes, experimenting with electric piano and funk grooves. Over the past two decades, he has continued touring and recording with his trio, appearing on the Muse, Evidence, Steeplechase, Verve, and now High Note labels. His most recent release,
One Flight Down (High Note, 2007), highlights not only his great hard bop chops but also Walton’s underappreciated legacy as a composer of tunes such as “One Flight Down” and “The Rubber Man.”
Joining Walton at Yoshi’s is a dream band including Steve Turre (trombone), Vincent Herring (alto sax), Steve Nelson (vibes), David Williams (bass) and Al Foster (drums).
Vincent Herring
A perennial winner of critics and readers’ polls,
Steve Turre is one of the most inventive musicians in modern jazz. He’s worked in Latin, jazz and pop, playing not only trombone but also shells. After initial work with Rashaan Roland Kirk, his career took off in 1972 when he was invited to tour with Ray Charles. Mentor Woody Shaw connected Turre with Art Blakey, and he served a stint with the Jazz Messengers. In the years that followed, Turre played with Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Lester Bowie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Van Morrison, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, Max Roach, and Cedar Walton.
Vincent Herring played sax at West Point in the U.S. Military Band. Dubbed a “Young Lion” in the early 80s, he toured with the Lionel Hampton Band before his big break with Nat Adderley's band, displaying a style in the vein of Nat’s brother, Cannonball. Regarding his current place in Louis Hayes’ Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band,
Jazz Times (November 2002) noted that he has “formidable technique and the appropriately aggressive attitude to put it over. Like Adderley, Herring tells a story when he plays, quotes other songs in his solos…and always plays hip turnarounds at the ends of his phrases.”
Steve Nelson&ocpy;Andrea Canter
Pittsburgh native
Steve Nelson may be best known for his long-standing work with the Dave Holland Quintet. A graduate of Rutgers University with Masters and Bachelors degrees in music, he has performed and/or recorded with Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Mulgrew Miller, David Fathead Newman, Johnny Griffin and Jackie McLean, and has four recordings himself as a leader. Versatile bassist
David Williams has played and recorded with a diverse Whos’ Who in American jazz—Slide Hampton, Warne Marsh, Kenny Barron, Art Pepper, David Hazeltine and often with Cedar Walton. Drummer
Al Foster had a long-running job with Miles Davis from the early 70s to mid 80s, and also toured extensively with Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and Herbie Hancock. Today he tours with his own band as well as with Cedar Walton, McCoy Tyner and more.
Now 73, Cedar Walton is as prolific and engaging as ever. Steam will rise from the stage on both sides of the Bay, at Yoshi’s in San Francisco and Oakland.
The new Yoshi’s is located at the Fillmore Heritage Center (1330 Fillmore at Eddy) in San Francisco; Yoshi’s original jazz club is housed at Jack London Square in Oakland, www.yoshis.com. Shows at 8 and 10 pm.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
