Covers now comprise a large portion of live music. Much of the jazz idiom consists of covers of old standards and more recently newer rock tunes. Drummer Richard Baratta’s Quintet (Savant Records) presented an unusual take on this concept. Richard has worked with many of the jazz greats, but since 1984 been working in movie production. Some of his credits include “The Wolf of Wall Street”, “Taking of Pelham 123” and “Smurfs”. In 2016, he decided to resume his career in music while continuing with movie production as his day job. In this time he has released 4 album length CDs and his toured the northeast. The band came with no fixed setlist but drew from a list of possible songs to playl
Paul Bollenbeck and Abraham Burton presented the front end of the band. The guitar and tenor sax would play in unison and harmony to create a full sound with a bite.
Maestro Toru Dodo’s piano filled in, comped and soloed where needed. This veteran of the NY/Tokyo jazz scene knew where to take the music.
Michael Gaetz and Paul Rossman were on bass and congas/percussion. Gaetz was totally into the groove and the music, his stage/body movements made music on its own.
Richard Baratta’s drumming was everywhere, it formed the basis of the Latin Beat prominent during the performance.
The first set was of deep cuts from well known performers these ranged from Bobby Hutcherson, Dave Liebman, Craig Handy and Herbie Hancock. All compositions had a deep sense of groove, the introduction of Latin rhythms added more interest to already fine pieces of music.
The 2nd set was more in a contemporary vein. Many of the arrangements were by Bill O’Connell. Opening with the Lennon McCartney ‘s ” Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”. The saxophone and guitar played the opening lines, followed by strong latin dance partially echoing those refrains before salsaing into oblivion.
Feeling Good by Nina Simone. Unfortunately no vocalist was there but the full dirty sounding sax of Abraham Buxton to state the melody. There was a wild rock guitar solo by Paul Bollenback.
We then musically traveled to the world of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, visions of Gene Wilder musically conjured in a ballad.
Bronislaw Kaper’s modern jazz standard “Invitation” followed. A truly swinging version of this oft performed piece was presented.
Bill O’ Connell’s composition “Monk’s Cha Cha” closed the concert. The music was so hot that it almost made the audience forget that it was a cold January night in the 518.
The vibe of the concert was of casual conviviality. Lots of humor and smiles between the members of the band and jokes by Baratta. A marked contrast to the technical aspects of the music.
Thanks to Joe and Luann Conlon for underwriting the Peak Jazz Series. And the staff and volunteers at the Caffe for keeping the spirit of music alive in a small listening room.
The next jazz performance sponsored with Caffe Lena will be in partnership with Putnam Place at Putnam Place. The Chuck Lamb Trio with the Dylan Perillo Orchestra. The next Peak Jazz concert will be on 2/21/26 with the Ben Wolfe Trio.
Setlist:
Set 1: Highway One (Bobby Hutcherson), A Bright Piece(Dave Liebman), Suss Song (Craig Handy), Actual Proof(Herbie Hancock)
Set 2: Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (Lennon-McCartney), Feelin’ Good (Nina Simone), Pure Imagination (Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), Invitation(Bronislaw Kaper), Monk’s Cha Cha (Bill O’Connell)
Gallery:
