Jimm O’Donnell is with Mitch Pine at The Black Sheep.
Seodsrtopna2 fg012tm2y06P cu8fa9929ii1m5 2: 1iJ5a06t273laM35 ·Amherst Center ·
As an otherwise uncultured, long-time rocker, I would have to admit that the piano-jazz trio format is not something that will usually bring the word ‘exciting’ to mind. Also as a basic FM-style rocker, I loves me some guitar heroics. And some ‘lectronics in the keys ain’t a bad thing, either.
Shut the front door.
B-Town is playing an afternoon set at the The Black Sheep.
GOMBO alert: this is IT- exactly perfect for a Thursday night after-dinner show. It starts with an original (there’s lots of those- most, in fact) called “Bach’s Cello.” Think about that. Pretty much sums ’em up.
Great jazz… REAL jazz… real class. Mostly originals too, and no lack of stimulating and- did I mention- exciting instrumental action. And on top of all that, a chance to see Mister Mitch Pine shine. This feels like it’s the stuff Mitch was most meant to play.
These two other fellas, too. Its like these three have the Muse in the pocket. Jason Moczulewski‘s drumming ‘strikes’ me as spot-on, and Jason O’Connor‘s bass is just as much of ‘standout’ quality. The previously-mentioned rocker in me gets a full fill of leads, and without sounding at all like a Jaco knockoff- or anyone else in particular. They’re just spot-on, these two Jason’s.
You can hear the dinner-music-thing in the light-and-spritely touch, especially the tinkling of the keys, of course; but there’s more… a lot more, and you can feel it. The Koko-esque mini-kit suits the vibe just right- versatile and articulate, as is the bass as well. If one needs for there to be a ‘lead’ instrument here, it would certainly be the four-string. Which is not to say it’s all about da bass, though. This is a free flowing, constantly communicating, cooperative: no showboats. Seriously, I kept looking for it. All’s I could see was three guys delivering engaging music and enjoying it. And making it look easy, too.
All very precise but open improv. Relaxing enough for lunchtime on a sunny Saturday, and we can imagine the dinner thing readily enough, but there is more going on here. As soon as they started, I felt the excitement. There is more waiting to burst out here. Get this group going in their own groove, and they’re gonna go all out.