The Jaki Byard Experience

Product description

CD

Amazon.com

“Experience” is an apt description of this 1968 monster, more a mystical rendezvous with the Ghosts of Jazz Past, Present, and Future than a mere record album. Pianist Jaki Byard certainly had a kindred spirit in hornman Roland Kirk, another fiercely diverse player who never met a jazz he didn’t like–or know how to play. Our journey begins with a 10-minute reading of Bud Powell‘s “Parisian Thoroughfare” that’s more beyond than it is bop. “Hazy Eye” follows, a lovely meditative duet with Byard and bassist Richard Davis, before the quartet (with Alan Dawson on drums and Kirk adding a rare turn on clarinet) reveals the earthy gospel “Shine on Me,” taken half-boogie, half-funky. Just as you settle into a groove, a wild, frenzied version of Thelonious Monk‘s “Evidence” tans your hide as both Byard and Kirk offer whirling, wondrous improvisations. The climax is Eubie Blake‘s beautiful ballad “Memories of You,” a duet for Byard and Kirk that is both stately and stirring. The full quartet waves goodbye with a midtempo “Teach Me Tonight,” complete with a nod to Erroll Garner. You can still see the devilish smiles. –Marc Greilsamer