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By Vince Robinson
The 45th Annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland at Playhouse Square got off to a spirited start under the leadership of the college’s new president, Dr. Michael Baston on June 20.
Baston’s rousing introductions for the three-day event brought the audience to life as he honored five Cleveland Music Legends Award recipients before introducing the festival’s opening act.
Award recipients Willard Jenkins, former JazzFest artistic director; Robert Hubbard, Cleveland drummer and band leader; composer, conductor and educator Paul Ferguson; and Telarc recording executives Elaine Martone and Bob Woods were honored for their contributions to American music.
No strangers to the Tri-C JazzFest stage, the opening act Take 6 proved why they have been together for nearly 40 years. Partly a cappella, partly aided by instrumentation, the group took a trip down memory lane with hits of their own and others, including a rendition of Christopher Cross’ Grammy award-winning classic “Sailing’.”
Day 2 – Friday, June 21
Day two showcased a blend of several jazz styles from the trio Jason Moran and the Bandwagon to the closer for the night, Scary Goldings with Larry Goldings and his musical companions.
Jason Moran confessed to the audience that he and his longtime bandmates, bassist Taurus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits, never have a setlist. The magic they created in their performance clearly showed the beauty of their process. According to Moran, Mateen picked up a new bass after 25 years with the previous one.
Next, Cecile McLauren Salvant eloquently told stories through song, transforming the blues into soulful classics like “Guess Who I Saw Last Night,” a signature Nancy Wilson tune. Salvant disclosed that she was fortunate enough to have spent time with Wilson before her passing.
Bob James performed his set with musicians so young, that their combined ages did not exceed his. The 84-year-old pianist and composer hasn’t missed a beat. The audience wanted to hear “Angela,” the theme he wrote for the television show “Taxi.” They got what they wanted.
Rounding out the smooth jazz-labeled artists was bass phenom Marcus Miller. As a producer for Miles Davis, David Sanborn and Bob James, he had plenty of material to pull from, including “Tutu,” “Run For Cover” and “Maputo,” with James joining his Ukrainian saxophonist, Andrey Chmut. Chmut paired up with Miller’s saxophonist, Donald Hayes, as they went toe-to-toe, passionately trading solos .
Like Davis did, Miller works with many musicians who adapt to the challenge of playing with one of the greats. This time around it was Anwar Marshall keeping time and Russell Gunn manning the trumpet in addition to Hayes’ saxophone.
The organ-based Scary Goldings rounded out the second evening of the jazz-filled weekend.
Day 3 – Saturday, June 22
“Flying Home: A Trumpet Summit,” celebrating the outstanding Tri-C JazzFest Jazz Academy program opened day three of the event at the Mimi Ohio Theatre on Euclid Avenue.
Jazz Academy alumni were the slated performers for this celebration, including trumpeters Dominick Farinacci, Sean Jones, Tommy Lehman and Curtis Taylor, along with pianist Jonathan Thomas, bassist Graham Guerin, drummer Gabe Jones and percussionist Patrick Graney. Steve Enos, the trumpet teacher they all had in common, was recognized by Farinacci during their masterful set.
A hard act to follow, Artemis was up to the task. The quintet of women led by pianist Rene Rosnes, came with an intensity that gave life to their instrumentals. Several pieces were written by members, including Allison Miller (drums) and Ingrid Jensen (trumpet). Artemis also features bassist Noriko Ueda and saxophonist Nicole Glover.
Playhouse Square’s Allen Theater hosted Brazilian musician Diego Figueiredo. His guitar played rhythm, melody, and ferocity such that he needed no accompaniment as he seamlessly glided through samba, bossa nova, tango, flamenco, and contemporary music.
After a heavy dose of Brazilian-influenced musical magnificence, Harold Lopez-Nussa turned up with his brother Adrian Lopez-Nussa on drums, Luques Curtis on bass, and Swiss harmonica prodigy Gregoire Maret. Known for his impressive resume, which includes stints with the legendary Herbie Hancock, Maret provided a distinctive element to the Latin fare.
Following Figueiredo and Lopez-Nussa in the Allen was prolific jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd with his Ocean Trio II, featuring the brilliant pianist Gerald Clayton and guitarist Marvin Sewell. The absence of a drummer in this unique trio was adeptly addressed by Clayton’s exquisite grand piano dexterity and Sewell’s rhythmic sound.
At one point, Lloyd coaxed Sewell to use another guitar and a slide technique that drew gasps from the audience. This performance stood out in its nuanced, authentic presentation by Lloyd, a keeper of the tradition, who has slowed down in his movements with age, but hasn’t missed a step musically.
Finalizing a memorable three days of live music was singer Ledisi. A Grammy award-winning vocalist and artist-in-residence at Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. Ledisi, unapologetically made a case for her presence in a jazz festival despite not having the label of a jazz singer.
She quelled that notion by invoking Nina Simone, as she traipsed across the stage scatting several bars, and resolutely told the Connor Palace Theatre crowd: “I’m a grown woman. I sing what I want to sing!”
Free Jazz Outside!
While all of the aforementioned performances took place in the air-conditioned comfort of Playhouse Square indoor venues, the outdoor stages at East 14th and Euclid Avenue saw action from a plethora of Cleveland-based jazz and other genre groups, including Horns and Things, Da Land Brass Band, Chris Coles’ Gleam, Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday Big Band, and others.
The perennial closers, Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band and Sammy DeLeon y Su Orchestra played through the heat of the night.
Their predecessors jammed through sweltering conditions during the day that matched the temperature of the music coming from the two outdoor stages.
In its 45th year, the Tri-C JazzFest continues to be a signature event for Cleveland and a showcase for national and local talent preserving the vitality and relevance of some of the greatest music ever written.
Vince Robinson is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Cleveland, Ohio. He took up photography as a student at Kent State University in the 70’s while studying Telecommunications with a minor in Pan African Studies
