Eddie Gomez with Chick Corea in Seattle

[Bassflute]

at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley. Also in the performance was the wonderful Airto on drums and percussion and Hubert Laws, one of my chidhood heroes, on flute. I believe tonight is their last night there (Sat. December 1st, 2007).

Although all the performers are legendary, Eddie Gomez stole the show, and not just because I'm a bass player. Exquisite lines, lyrical solos, chops to burn, gorgeous sound, one of the highlights of the night was Chick playing Bill Evan's 'Waltz for Debbie' with Bill's bass player, who obviously knew the song better than all of them. Chick was wonderful, transcendant on that tune: Mr. Gomez was even better.

If you can afford to get down there and check them out, do it. If you can't, go stand outside and press your ear against the fire exit door (lick it first to make sure your ear doesn't stick in this frozen weather). Jazz music-making at it's finest. And one of the greatest bass players of all time at the height of his powers; Eddie Gomez is absolutely magnificent.

Cheers,
Cameron

[jlilley]

+1.
I checked them out on Thursday. Great, great show with completely legendary players! Waltz for Debbie was a highlight for me along with Eddie's solo on Spain.
John

[Aaron]

I saw the show for the first set on Tuesday - which I think was the first night of the tour.

Amazing show - it is a real treat to hear guys that really keep their ears open.

It was cool to hear musicians of such great ability and reputation to hit a couple rough spots as well. I assumed those folks never hit a wrong note in their lives.

John - I noticed that picture you had with Hiro on your myspace. I use to play with him in a combo at the S.D.S. when I was in high school. When I first met him he was mainly playing guitar, but shortly afterward he seemed to be picking up a new instrument every week.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Aaron

It was cool to hear musicians of such great ability and reputation to hit a couple rough spots as well. I assumed those folks never hit a wrong note in their lives.

When Chick and Gary Burton played here earlier this year, they pulled a really knotty tune, and when Chick introduced it, Chick said " I just wrote this in Honolulu yesterday, so if we mess it up, we'll just start again 'til we get it." And they did... twice.... at the point of the messup, Chick would just do this little gliss, like someone hitting the lever on a typewriter, and they'd do it again. Gary had his nose in the paper like a mofo. Pretty cool, all done with good humor.

I like Chick; he doesn't have any filters at all when it comes to getting across to people. We had a good hang afterwards. I would have loved to see the band with Hubert et al.

[jlilley]

Aaron,
Funny you mention that about Hiro... he's playing piano now.
As far as I've been able to piece together its been trumpet, guitar, bass, drums and finally piano.
John

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by jlilley

Aaron,
Funny you mention that about Hiro... he's playing piano now.
As far as I've been able to piece together its been trumpet, guitar, bass, drums and finally piano.
John

For a while he was taking singing lessons with Greta Matassa, too. I love how he found one of the top teachers in town for each of the instruments.

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I like Chick; he doesn't have any filters at all when it comes to getting across to people. We had a good hang afterwards. I would have loved to see the band with Hubert et al.

I picked that up a little bit when I've seen Chick in interviews and how he talked to the audience - always frank and to the point. Airto seems like quite the character, as well.

It was really cool hearing Airto play trap kit. I was only familiar with his trap kit playing on Light as a Feather. On every other recording I have heard, he is playing cuica or various other hand percussion. On kit, he was driving it really hard. He wasn't even laying back on "Waltz for Debby".

[ryco]

WOW!! What a line up! Sometimes I wish I still lived in Seattle!

Eddie Gomez is my fav latin player. Really opened my ears as to what can be done with South American styles. His lines are almost tunes in themselves.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Aaron

Airto seems like quite the character, as well.

He is! He and Flora have come out here a few times... he's like a little kid. More energy than he knows what to do with sometimes.

Flora amazed me a couple of years ago, by remembering meeting me in a club in California over 25 years prior. She is a lovely person.

[christ andronis]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

He is! He and Flora have come out here a few times... he's like a little kid. More energy than he knows what to do with sometimes.

Flora amazed me a couple of years ago, by remembering meeting me in a club in California over 25 years prior. She is a lovely person.

I assume she's still singing? Don't seem to hear much from her anymore.

It must be a trip for those cats to play with each other after all these years. I know when I hook up with people I played with way back it's always something special albeit not at the same level as Chick and Eddie, etc..

[Marcus Johnson]

Sure, Flora's still singing.

[christ andronis]

I'm so far out of the loop as far as my listening and keeping up.