By: Rudy Lu

Joel Harrison is a highly original guitarist of the highest caliber. His catalog of recordings ranges from classical guitar, world music, avant garde, jazz and protest music.This has been both a blessing and a curse. Those who expect one genre from hearing him once, may be shocked. Those who delight in his eclectic elasticity will be delighted. I am of the latter.

This particular evening he appeared with 3/4 of a band known in the Hudson Valley as the Jazz Professors. Jeff “Siege”Siegel and Rich Syracuse have played together for many decades, accompanying others with their swinging telepathic precision. Guitarist Mark Dzuiba is an assistant professor/director of jazz studies at SUNY New Paltz.

When the band took the stage, we heard a righteous funky blues which revealed itself as Sonny Rollin’s I “Doxy”. This was not a warmup, the band was in high gear from the start. Joel then announced.a composition he originally played with the late Vic Juris , ” Evening with Vic”. As Mark Dzuiba later remarked “When 2 guitarists play together, a magic occurs”. Joel Harrison noted the many guitar duos both acoustic and electric that have been successful in both jazz and popular music. The Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Joe Pass & Herb Elllis, Ralph Towner & John Abercrombie. Of course, that band that in many ways revolutionized it all, the Beatles. The conversations both verbal and musical seem infinite to the musicians.

That mixture of standards and Harrison’s own compositions was the pattern of the night.

The familiar notes of “Body & Soul” along with Miles Davis’ “Solar were the glue that held the fabric of Harrison’s compositions. They ranged with the lyricism of “It Falls On You”, followed by the exotic “Survival Instinct” , a tune recorded with Jack DeJohnette. Jeff Siegel supplied the wild polyrhythms and swing associated with late drummer. Webb City was more bebop. Harrison’s concerns about the alarming drop in the bird population were musically expressed with”Migratory Birds”, the restlessness of premigration along with the migration were expressed with quick runs, starts and stops by all the musicians slowly fading.

“Wichita Lineman” that classic from Jimmy Webb has been a subject of interpretation by many musicians. So the inclusion of this was a surprise/ no surprise here. I have heard this song interpreted by avant gardist Ben Monder into an achingly slow ballad . Harrison and crew decided to interpret into a more cinematic approach, akin to a soundtrack of a Hollywood Western. The cohesion of the band made this easy to listen to, rather than challenging. Rich Syracuse played an outstanding solo that tied things together.

The final piece is appropriate certainly for these times “Anthem of Unity”. A soothing composition with a touch of the Grateful Dead to it.

It was unfortunate that the turnout for this performance was a bit light. This was Joel’s first time at the Van Dyck, he did enjoy the venue and would like to come back. If you would like to take a chance and listen to something adventurous, make sure that you give Joel Harrison a listen.

Stay tuned to what’s happening at the Van Dyck via their social media. As the weather breaks, Chris Sule will be expanding his musical offerings. For the latest on performances in the 518 jazz world, follow the calendar on aplaceforjazz.org and Bill McCann’s weekly announcements on his facebook page.