Photos: Rudy Lu
Multi-instrumentalist Chris Brubeck with his band Triple Play entertained the full house at Caffe Lena. It’s a homecoming of sorts. Guitarist Joel Brown is a member of an artist in residence at Skidmore. Chris has been a visiting professor there, Peter “Madcap ” Ruth hails from Michigan. They have played in the Saratoga area many times between UPH, the Zankel Music Center and Caffe Lena.
If you were expecting straight ahead jazz at this performance, you would have been surprised. The audience was treated to a repertoire ranging from Dave Brubeck, Bach, soul, blues, folk and funk, and even the Beatles. The instrumentation included piano, trombone, harmonica, jaw harp, guitar and high hat. A heavy dose of humor and stories were thrown in. With 33 years together and countless projects apart, there certainly were plenty of stories.
The rowdy side of their sound was led by Ruth’s piercing harmonica. It ranged from melodic to rhythmic. Sometimes it imitated the sounds of a speeding locomotive complete with the whoops made famous by Sonny Terry. Muddy Waters “Rollin’ and Tumblin’”and Robert Johnson’s “Phonograph Blues” were showcased.
“Memphis Soul Stew” and other Stax inspired music from Chris’ days playing in a rock band were featured though played almost like chamber music.
The folk side of the equation was well represented by a version of “Brother Can You Spare A Dime”.
Joel showcased a composition stemming from the pandemic, inspired by the temptation of buying shoes through sheer boredom but realizing he had no place to wear them to show them off.
“Take 5”, “Raggedy” Waltz” and “Blue Rondo A La Turk”, all well known pieces by Chris’ father Dave, were all given unique interpretations.Take 5 evolved from Gershwin’s “Summertime” included Peter playing a tuneful jawharp and Chris scatting and grunting to the music. “ Blue Rondo A La Turk” starting in the original’s 9/8, drifting into a blues shuffle featuring Peter on the high hat and harmonica before drifting back to the original. You could almost feel Dave Brubeck and Frank Brown (Joel’s father) smiling from ear to ear on those tunes.
An experience of recording with the London symphony was represented by “Dziekuje” the Polish word for thank you.
The encore had a false introduction and humorous false start, stating that they would play a song made famous by the Monkees, “Last Train To Clarksville”. This quickly changed to “Lady Madonna” with a quick teaser of “Day Tripper” before reverting back. An appropriate ending to a fun evening.
Chris Brubeck will be returning to the Caffe on 6/28 to perform with his jazz ensemble the Brubeck Brothers. This features brother Chris on drums, Chuck Lamb on piano and Mike DeMicco on guitar.
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