All Photos by Brad Walseth, Copyright 2010
On January 16, the Harris Theater and the University of Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players (Contempo) presented Double-Bill: Where Jazz and Contemporary Music Intersect. The first half of this eclectic and rewarding program featured contemporary chamber music, beginning with members of the Grammy-winning new music ensemble, eighth blackbird performing Chicagoan Shawn Brogan Allison's intriguing Toward the Flame. The group was joined by several other musicians and singers including talented mezzo soprano Susanne Mentzer in presenting Bernard Rands' delicious "now again" - fragments from Sappho, conducted by Cliff Colnot. Yu-Hui Chang's difficult solo percussion piece, Binge Delirium was navigated with skill by eighth blackbird percussionist Matthew Duvall to end the first half.
Mentzer returned and was joined by eighth blackbird's Lisa Kaplan on piano in a version of Kurt Weill's September Song, which introduced the jazz stars for the second half: pianist Kenny Werner and saxophonist Chris Potter. The duo slid into a splendid improvisation based on the Weill piece, before continuing with several other pieces written by either of the two. Werner, a former professor and good friend of Potter's supported his former student with strong and refined technique and adept and sensitive voicing. Potter meanwhile displayed the fabulous abilities that have taken him to the very top of the current generation of saxophonists. However, this occasion showcased the saxman in a completely different light than the one in which most audiences have seen him. Rather than the wild and crazy funk jam energy that is usually Potter's calling card, this concert displayed his talent for melodic improvising in a duet setting that was grounded in the traditional. Losing none of the technique or imagination, Potter channeled his playing into a seemingly effortless, melodic vein, albeit with plenty of excitement. Perhaps the highlight was a Potter number which drew heavily on Indian music, while the encore was an incredible version of Green Dolphin Street which mutated into something light years beyond that old standard. The two players interaction mesmerized the crowd and the second half flew by far too fast on this enjoyable evening of contemporary chamber music and stellar jazz.
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