Joe Locke’s double malleted
arms were a blur last night at his 6 p.m. Kilbourn
Hall show. It was if he were a cross between an octopus and a helicopter. You
could literally feel the heat coming off of him. This was my fourth or fifth
time seeing the vibe master and by far the best. He has always been lightning
fast but sometimes so much so that the melody couldn’t keep up. This time
however, was different — or I’m just becoming a better listener perhaps. After
explaining the evening program’s poetic significance and Rochester’s poetic
significance on his life and career, Locke and his crew jumped in with his
impressive technique raining a flurry of notes in a blinding cascade. It was
breathtaking and gasp making.
The Squeezer’s stage leaves a lot to be desired in the
ambiance department; it feels eerily like a gutted department store. But Blue
Highway certainly made up for the deficit with some smoking finger
style and beautiful four-part harmony along with impressive, reverent nods to
Ralph and Bill. Bluegrass at its bluest and grassiest.
A little bango with the Django … Stephane
Wrembel has changed things up a bit since I last
saw him a couple of years ago. First of all, he stands now. Secondly, and more
importantly he has changed up his sound considerably, with newer, more electric
meanderings permeating his trademark Gypsy chop … and no doubt winning himself
some new fans in the process.
Kat Edmonson was so achingly gentle at her 10
p.m. engagement at the Montage Music Hall stage. A lullaby
personified, the young lady with a complexion (she must moisturize) like fine
china played with a mix of jazz curiosity, grace, and bliss.
This article appears in Jun 17-23, 2015.
