Creating beauty is never easy, so I’m always amazed by the way the best jazz musicians make it happen on the spot.
Here’s a particularly moving example from the second informal set of the 2009 Jazz at Chautauqua, with Duke Heitger, trumpet; Dan Block, tenor sax; Bob Havens, trombone; Ehud Asherie, piano; Frank Tate, bass; Pete Siers, drums. Their version of SEPTEMBER SONG equals any I’ve ever heard for slow, steady, sustained connection to the emotions — a series of embellished melody lines building and building on one another with no reaching for special effects — just quiet majesty, instant eloquence.
Thank you, gentlemen!
