It seems every other American town of 25,000+ population has a club or bar that supports a big band night. Often it’s a gaggle of old timers reliving their salad days for an audience of old timers reliving their salad days. Even then, you’ll often hear a head-turning solo or outside chord voicings, and you can’t help but smile. More often it’s a mix of younger and older players chugging through a variety of younger and older charts. But it’s with a single, age-neutral purpose- to make that big sound you rarely hear outside of educational institutions- Big Band. Ocassionally the music strays toward good old fashioned swing just to placate the few dancers, but you can see the musicians du jour, or I guess du nuit, impatiently eyeing the next chart coming up that’s a little more challenging, like a Thad Jones/Mel Lewis number.
The other night I ventured out with my friend Jim McKeracher to check out Jazz at the Corktown with Darcy Hepner and his big band. Let me cut to the chase. Here in Hamilton we have a big band du nuit that is stacked with great players and remarkable soloists. I’ll name just a few, with apologies to the rest.
Trumpeter Jason Logue, who’s every swing through the chord changes somehow tops his last for solid intuitive ideas. Pianist Adrian Farrugia, a commanding and exciting soloist who can also comp with great ears and sensitivity. Mike Stuart, a big classic tenor sax sound, brilliant phrasing, and a truckload of joy in his playing.
I had to give my head a shake. A classic bar in an historic part of a real city with a real soul (uh, CBC? Totally not Toronto), listening to outstanding musicians play through Thad Jones/Mel Lewis charts. Mike Stuart said on the break “I’ve listened to and read about this band my whole life. But to sit and read through these actual charts, it’s tough, but what a gas!”
Some rough edges? You bet. You can’t expect to get all these great players together for a full rehearsal. All the same, it was inspiring to watch this band charge through some tough material and experience some exciting moments along the way. I’ve heard some big bands that were so perfect and antiseptic you wouldn’t hesitate to brush your teeth with them. No thanks. I’ll take the real thing, please. And the real thing is right here in good old Hamilton.
Darcy Hepner is a deceptively calm, serene guy. Don’t be fooled. He’s full of energy and ideas. In his playing and equally as important, in the projects he keeps coming up with that we all end up benefiting from. So, needless to say, get to the Corktown next Wednesday night and every Wednesday night you can.
