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Celebrating Donald WaldenFor two decades The Societié of the Culturally Concerned, under the leadership of Barbara Cox, has been celebrating the achievements of Detroit's greatest jazz musicians with a lifetime award. This year the award went to saxophonist, composer, and educator Donald Walden, a magnificent musician who is a vital and much-beloved member of the local jazz community. The festivities took place on a Sunday afternoon at Arturo's, Southfield's sumptuous jazz theatre/restaurant, and it seemed that the whole jazz community was there, as the event was sold out for days. The place was packed with jazz lovers, musicians, friends, as well as Professor Walden's faculty colleagues from Oberlin and the University of Michigan, who all appreciate not only his musicianship, but also his friendship and deep humanity. Master of ceremonies Kenn Cox offered an exhaustive survey and appreciation of Walden's career and presented him with the society's award, followed by councilwoman Martha Reeves, who read a proclamation on behalf of the Detroit City Council. Cox was the first on stage with his trio, offering three numbers, including an exquisite rendering of Kurt Weil's "My Ship." Then it was time for the honoree to show his stuff, and what followed exceeded even the highest expectations, as Detroit's premier tenor saxophonist played with power and Unfortunately, the proceedings had to end at 5:30 so that the club could prepare for the evening seating and the music of Jean Carne. We left feeling grateful to Donald Walden for decades of great music, but also looking forward to many more years of creativity from this marvelous artist. I N - T H I S - I S S U E : |
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authority, in the company of five of the city's finest musicians. George Benson, usually heard in more traditional settings, showed an edgier side of his alto saxophone stylings, and Rayse Biggs provided roaring trumpet solos, favoring the high register. Pianist Rick Roe was in fine form, providing apposite accompaniment that prodded the front line to higher ground, and practically stealing the evening with his adventurous solos. Holding all of this up was the dynamic drummer Thad Dixon and the magnificent Marion Hayden on bass. Hayden seems to get better and better; there is an elusive propulsive quality that seems to be characteristic of the best Motor City bass players, and she is a master of this drive. And then there was Walden, who seemed in especially good spirits; his highly personal saxophone sound was on full display and he soloed at length with spirit and imagination. But he also showed his generosity and his concern as an educator; for the last number he brought to the stage two of his students and his old companion from Oberlin, Peter Dominguez.