Matthew Stevens Quintet @ Solo Kitchen Bar

Matt Stevens 5 @ Solo Kitchen Bar

Matthew Stevens (the guitar player on Christian Scott’s albums Rewind That and Anthem) with Logan Richardson on alto, John Escreet on piano, Eric Doob on drums and Joe Sanders (the First Runner Up in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition 2009 ) on acoustic bass @ Solo Kitchen Bar. I heard the second set. Didn’t really like the gig so much. Mostly because of the compositions I guess, sounded kind of obscure to me. Even though I like the stuff on his myspace so much more, with the effects and all the good lines and grooves. At Solo, it sounded kind of naked to me.  But there was a really cool moment of interaction between alto and bass and later piano. But yeah. Also, the piano wasn’t loud enough where i was sitting. But Solo Kitchen Bar is still such a great hang! Definitely one of the best places for jazz on any Sunday night in New York

Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet @ the Jazz Gallery

Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet @ Jazz Gallery

That concert was so good! I wasn’t joking that he’s my favorite trumpet player, I love his music so much The compositions were amazing! Logan Richardson – alto, Gerald Clayton – piano, Justin Brown on drums, Harish Raghavan on bass. Lots of energy, great synergy in the band. Really good sound. Gerald Clayton on piano was totally killin’! Stayed for both sets. Even though I was a little late for the first one and missed the opening tune – of which I heard later on that it was pure magic. And they had friends sitting in – a burning 18-year old tenor player from Manhattan School for Inner Urge and in the second set vocalist Saschal Vasandani joined them for a take of Body and Soul. That was hilarious. I’ve heard him before actually, he’s a great vocalist. It was really entertaining how he had gum in his mouth the whole time. Didn’t seem to affect the singing… Yeah, but Ambrose is so special. People seem to know that – Jazz Gallery was quite packed . Really, everybody was there! I would go hear Ambrose again any time, that was such a pleasure.