Photos: Rudy Lu
Master Pianist Kevin Hays led a trio consisting of Alex Claffy on bass and Eric Harland on drums for a 90 minute set of jazz standards and ballads. We were privileged to see this trio sandwiched between gigs in Greenwich Village’s esteemed listening room Mezzrow’s and the Village Vanguard.
Familiar songs ranging from the Beatles “ A Little Help From My Friends”, to jazz standards “Come Rain, Come Shine”, “Someplace”, “King of the Road” and the contrafact “All Things Are” were stretched into imaginative group self expressions. Lyrical playing with cascades of notes and rhythms came from the trio. Seemingly inspired by the flow of water outside of the club at Marlboro Falls. Although played together, the players expressed their individual selves.
The end was a swinging “Happy Birthday” to Alex Claffy. A happy birthday indeed.
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