Gonzalo, Chris, Eric, Larry

FIRST MEETING LIVE AT DIZZY’S CLUB

Passion Records

Gonzalo Rubalcaba, piano; Chris Potter, tenor saxophone; Larry Grenadier, bass; Eric Harland, drums.

When I hear GRAMMY winner, Gonzalo Rubalcaba at the piano, I am always stunned into attentive silence.  There is something compelling about his approach and his emotional mastery of the keys.  His rubato introduction to the Chick Corea tune “500 Miles High” is elegant and it captivates me. He is soon joined by another GRAMMY winner, tenor saxophonist, Chris Potter.  They lock grooves, like old friends hugging after a long absence.  Their blend is improvised but perfect.

This group of master musicians was assembled by Jazz at Lincoln Center’s VP of Programming, Jason Olaine.  Billed as “First Meeting” (that is also the album title) these four jazz titans played together for the first time at Dizzy’s Club.

“Our communication was easy and fluid.  Nobody requested that we play a piece the way it was recorded years before or go in a particular direction.  What you hear on the album is how we played it together in the here and now,” Gonzalo Rubalcaba explained.

This is a double disc set.  On disc one, you will hear “500 Miles High,” “State of the Union” and the drummer’s tune (Eric Harland) “Eminence.”

On Disc 2, You will enjoy their rendition of Dizzy’s “Con Alma” with striking solos by Gonzalo Rubalcaba and bassist Larry Grenadier.

Also, “Oba” was composed by Chris Potter. He opens the tune on his tenor saxophone, and when Eric Harland’s drums join the party, they establish a wonderful union. Finally, “Santo Canto,” composed by Rubalcaba, closes out this concert.  All in all, it’s a performance meant to be remembered!

Potter said, “The goal was to make some serious music together, where the jazz language is now.  Gonzalo, Larry and Eric are amazing musicians at the top of their game.  It was almost daunting to come to work, like, this is at such a high level. I don’t want to mess it up. It was a very focused, intense conversation throughout, with everyone listening deeply. It’s like a high-wire act.  Everything is perfectly balanced.”

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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