Sunday at DJF 2020
Considering the diminished mode of listening to a live jazz festival on a laptop, the lighting, camera work and sound quality on the three sound stages was very good. Also, being at home, I could combine watching a set of swinging jazz with chowing al dente pasta or perusing the Tigers-Twins game. Still, I kept recalling the great feeling from past years at Hart Plaza, being cheek-to-jowl with other jazz lovers, feeling that live vibe, forever in my memory bank, hopefully to return sometime soon. And I must say, leave it to a determined band of Detroiters to devise a very cool way to keep the jazz fires burnin’! Kudos to Chris Collins, Gretchen Valade and all the founders.
To recall a few of the sweet connections from the 2020 virtual festival, I was able to get my laptop live and settle in with Robert Hurst’s last section of the “Justice” project with three young singers, Rafael Statin on saxes, Dwight Adams on trumpet, Ian Finkelstein on piano, drums and Hurst on bass, with great solos by all. This is a powerful piece with a churning refrain, “Justice, Just Us; Justice, Just US!” Whenever Hurst presents a piece, I feel a gravitas and playfulness there at once. He was leading a fine ensemble in a joyful and serious manner befitting his magnificent compositions into the creative cauldron called jazz.
Trumpeter Rayse Biggs Collective with seven players had a gritty, strong Detroit groove, with happy- in your face-real, honest emotions with sounds from the Motor City’s grand jazz tradition. Not too edgy, but mellow and sincere, it made me want to sing and dance to this cool upbeat music. Hours later I was still feeling the great vibe from this strong set; it remained, healing, almost medicinal.
Sean Dobbins Trio with Rob Bickley on bass and young Brendon Davis on piano played tunes like “Juicy Lucy” and “Blue Daniel,” with several exciting tempo changes. Also “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” with the Bickley’s bass bowing counterpoint to strong piano riffs by Davis. They also played “A Minor Mishap” by Detroit great Tommy Flanagan, followed by “Four Brothers,” a Woody Herman big band arrangement, which had a nice swing with great support on snare and cymbals. Dobbins is a fine leader, so positive and full of musical joy.
TOP: Rayse Biggs with Ibrahim Jones