Tanya Batson, Staff ReporterTO BE dubbed 'Philly Sax' is to be linked with the best in jazz history. While many believe that jazz began in New Orleans, some scholars argue that it started in Philadelphia. Either way, sufficient jazz greats have come out of that state to make it a very significant part of jazz history. John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Philly Joe Jones, Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz are a mere few of the innovators who have hailed from that state, making it the home of jazz.
Byard Lancaster is 'Philly Sax', and hearing him blow immediately speaks to the fact that he is not simply immersed in the jazz tradition, but has actually helped to create it.
Not to put too fine a point on it, his performance at the at Red Bones Café on Wednesday night, was awesome. This description has to be used in spite of the fact that it reduces the speaker to the status of a 10th-grader attempting to be cool. However, awesome is the only word that properly describes Byard Lancaster's performance, which dominated the first part of the show.
Lancaster began his performance on the piano with Jesus Loves Us. Although he is well known for his work on the saxophone, Lancaster is accomplished on several reed instruments. In fact, his voice, which also sounds like a reed instrument, is one of the instruments he masters. Not only does he sing well (although sing does not seem to adequately describe his gravely rasp), he has a piercing clean whistle, which works as well as any of his other instruments.
Lancaster's performance dominated the first part of the show, although he enhanced the rest of the night. The night adequately demonstrated just how many instruments Lancaster masters. The clarinet, flute, tambourine, a bell and a whistle all joined the tenor and alto sax to make beautiful, multi-textured jazz. From very early it was evident that a master was at work. However, just when everything seemed to have got as good as it could get, Lancaster played the tenor and the alto sax... at the same time. His entire body, from his salt and pepper hair to his matching snakeskin shoes, went into his performance. The tunes he went through included Honey Rose, Grand Baby, Moanin, St. Thomas and Summertime.
However, it must be recognised that Lancaster was not alone in dazzling the audience as they were taken on a musical high. Desi Jones on drums, Dale Haslam on bass and Azou'ne on keyboards also served to make the night a musical treat. The three had got the night going. They performed It Happens Everyday and Last Night as the audience streamed in. Jones and Azou'ne made good use of several solos to show that though they were not the main feature, they were not to be overlooked either. Additionally, when Haslam got loose in his solo at the end of the show, he demonstrated that he had not got the gig as a favour.
Another Philly jazz man, George V. Johnson Jr., was also in the house. Johnson joined his vocal talent with that of the musicians to further enhance the feast to be had at the café. Johnson started his performance with Shades of Blue and ended with a jazzed up Happy Birthday to You, which was dedicated to several members of the audience.
British musician Andy Jefferson and Belgian guitarist Gerd Beyens also added their talent to the night.
Red Bones had evidently been almost at full capacity for a very good reason. They were offering something really worth hearing. As Harry Graham, who hosted the evening, pointed out, the night demonstrated that jazz was still alive on the local front and it should stay that way. It was a night that made you remember why it is said that jazz is not just about the music, it is about the musicians.
