Matt Steckler has been quite the musical nomad in his career, Working and living in NYC, Manitoba, the 518 and Vermont. All these experiences including some of the more mundane have inspired the creation of Old Friends Beckon/ New Songs Reckon. This recording was released last fall and consists of all original compositions.

The album was played in sequence in its entirety in 2 sets. The legendary local Tarik Shah, substituted for Lonnie Plaxico on bass.

The music was almost as diverse in mood as it was inspiration.

1st set

Opening with “Forgive”, Matt and pianist Yoyoi Ikawa presented a light hearted tour de force. The music dancing across the stage with Tarik Shah and Tony Lewis in close support. The title seemed to be a misnomer of the mood it created

Labor Day had Matt switching to tenor saxophone playing just as rapidly. The influence of John Coltrane was heard. Tarik Shah took a melodic bass solo followed by Tony Lewis thundering on a drum solo.

Prince Eleventy had Matt initially on tenor, before handing over the tune to Yoyoi and Tony. The switching of tempos from funk to swing and back again with the flash of his cymbals showed why Tony is a drummer in demand, He spent 10 years behind the recently departed Sam Moore who he dedicated his set to tonight. There is no expression for Ikawa’s performance in this other than she killed it?

Butterfly was the sole composition by Yayoi Ikawa. She described it as her tribute to the life of a butterfly which reflects the many cycles. of life.

“I’d Know I’d Hear It” was a bluesy upbeat waltz featuring soprano waltz and the band engaged in deep conversation with each other.

The set closed with the only cover of the night, the late saxophonist and composer Sam Rivers “Beatrice”. Included was a phrase from “Without A Song”.

2nd set

“Show Some Class” was a swinging blues with Tony Lewis and Yayoi locked in beat by beat and sometime challenging each other,

The mood switched with the ballad “Here & Now”.

“Mission Creep” was an appropriate contemporary title reflecting on our confused politics. Yayoi’s prodigious powerful Tyneresque piano carried the message.

“Vegas Mode” was inspired by a playing mode that is on Matthews electronic keys at home. The mode doesn’t have a sound but instead flashes disco style lights. The song was certainly that corny in sound reminding one of a 70s skating disco dance movie.

The closer was Nunavit, Canada’s newest political entity. A territory governed and for the Inuit people,

Closing remarks

As we are celebrating the 65th birthday of Caffe Lena, the oldest caffe in the country, many of us have pondered “What would Lena have thought “? An unexpected possibility was presented by one of the guests. This gentleman was a regular attendee of the Caffe in 1960 and had driven all the way from Cambridge to attend. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. He also had an amusing anecdote that he said Lena thought he was going places.

This concert was presented through the Caffe’s Peak Jazz Series, sponsored by Joseph & Luann Conlon in memory of Corrine Simonds. There will be more from this series as the year progresses.

The next jazz performance will be on January 14th, when Chuck Lamb will bring vibraphonist Joe Locke as part of his long running jazz series.

Band:

Matt Steckler- saxes, flute
Yayoi Ikawa-piano
Tarik Shah-bass
Tony Lewis-drums

Setlist:

Forgive, Labor Day, Prince Eleventy, Butterfly (Ikawa), I’d Know It If I Hear It, Beatrice (Sam Rivers), Show Some Class, Here & Now, Mission Creep, Vegas Mode, Nunavit