The Heidelberg Suite Premiere
BY MICHAEL G. NASTOS
Detroit was treated to a world premiere of Anthony Wilson's composition "The Heidelberg Suite," dedicated to the famous graphic artist Tyree Guyton (right), on Friday, October 14, at the spacious and beautiful First Congregational Church. The music was expertly performed by the Detroit All Star Jazz Orchestra, a four generation, 30-piece big band conducted by guitarist Wilson and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, with both as principal soloists.
A smaller combo featured Belgrave for a poignant take on "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," with pianist Marion Hayden (sitting in for the scheduled Bob Hurst,) drummer Karriem Riggins, the always astounding pianist Geri Allen, and Wilson. Then a full complement of horns and brass joined the rhythm section with vocalist Joan Belgrave for her original "Excitable." Strings were added for another instrumental — originally the Lawrence Williams composition "Linda," renamed "Jenenne" by Belgrave for Guyton's wife — before the orchestra launched into the full blown "Suite," full of tantalizing interplay, unison shout choruses, and swing.
The final section of the "Suite" was a rousing, ear bending segment, featuring arresting vertical forms and phrases not unlike something George Russell would conceive — perfectly representative of Guyton's visual aesthetic. A concluding version of Belgrave's modal, hopping "Akua Ewie" gave the composer an opportunity to introduce most of the players and give them each a solo. Among the participants were saxophonists Vincent Bowens, Ernie Rogers and Belgrave's teenage son Kasan, trumpeters John Douglas, Rayse Biggs and Dwight Adams, trombonist Steve Hunter, and other younger players under the tutelage of our local educators.
