Sometimes the best music presents us with the answers: This is how it is, and this is how it should be. Other musical explorations seem to ask Beethoven’s question: Must it be? Or perhaps What lies beyond?
The quartet of musicians who enlarged our horizons on April 13, 2013, at the Finland Center, asked the latter question — sweetly, not abrasively — and let us compose our own answers. They are Lena Bloch, tenor saxophone; Frank Carlberg, keyboard; Billy Mintz, drums; Dave Miller, guitar.
I invite you to join their inquiries, to allow their music to lift you aloft.
Monk’s WE SEE:
Lena’s HIGH POINT:
Billy’s FLIGHT:
Berlin’s series of questions, HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN?:
Ted Brown’s FEATHER BED:
Lena’s TWO OCEANS OF MADNESS:
Dave’s RUBATO:
And the concert ended ALL TOO SOON:
All of these fine vibrations were created by these four eminent courageous players . . . but we also thank Janna Rehnstrom of the Finland Center Foundation for giving this music a home — for establishing a regular concert series here, at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York — details here.
May your happiness increase.