So cool they had shades on indoors
The auditorium filled up slowly and calmly. Nobody got stressed out when the start time came and went. A couple were very agreeable when they found out we were in their seats, and said, ‘It’s cool’ when I showed them our tickets that corresponded with their tickets. They sauntered off to sort it out with ‘The Man’ and I never saw them again. People had come with good vibes. These were jazz people. Eventually, the musicians strolled on in 2s and 3s, chatting with each other, shooting the breeze like they were in a studio getting ready to jam. Kamasi came to the microphone and said, ‘Hi, London,’ and we all clapped politely, except a woman behind me who whoop-whooped like an American college girl, but soon desisted when she realised this was not the time and place. This was jazz, baby, and this band were too cool for whoopers. So cool they had shades on indoors, writes Michael Holland.
Saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington has devised a set that commemorates John Coltrane and Miles Davis, with plenty of Sonny Rollins rolled in for balance, as well as a foundation for these uber-talented music makers to confirm their mastery by playing songs by Rollins in the style of Coltrane and Davis.
There were several mash-ups such as this, the band even played two different songs at the same time – one Coltrane, the other Davis – and made it work; made it something even bigger and better than the source of origin in this celebration of what would have been those jazz greats 100th birthdays. Each tune was played in honour of the legends that inspired this ensemble to make music, and still inspire them today.
There was no spotlight-bogarting here. Everyone on that stage had their chance to shine, and Kamasi made sure to name-check everyone of them every time they played a solo – and there were plenty of solos in this masterclass from the new face of jazz.
