Roy Hargrove Quintet Live at Scullers

Friday October 3, 2008
Scullers, Boston

Roy Hargrove's focus for his latest album and Emarcy debut, Earfood, is "to have a recording that is steeped in tradition and sophistication, while maintaining a sense of melodic simplicity.” On Friday night the nod to tradition was obvious. Hargroves playing style was reminiscent of Clifford Brown. Combined with the Cannonball inspired solos of Justin Robinson, the quintet sounded like a modern version of the classic Max Roach/Clifford Brown recordings of the 1950's. On Friday night, the band included Hargrove on trumpet, Justin Robinson on alto, Alan Palmer on piano, Danton Boller on bass, and Montez Coleman on drums.

The first set featured a mix of originals from Earfood as well as the usual standards including "Blues by 5." For this tune, Boston trombonist Andre Haywood shared the stage and had the audience cheering. On Hargrove's ballad composition "Rouge," the musicians showed great sensitivity and dynamics.

Says Hargrove, "People are turning a deaf ear to jazz. Some of that is the fault of jazz musicians trying too hard to appear to be cerebral. They aren't having fun playing the music and that's why people aren't coming to hear it live anymore." During the first set it was obvious that the musicians were having fun.

With a solid set, standing ovation, and an eager audience cheering for more, the musicians left the stage on a high note. Sadly, they managed to leave with the energy as well. Set 2 was far less polished. While it was unique to hear Hargrove sing the Livingston/Evans standard "Never Let Me Go," gone was the hardbop tradition and excitement of each tune from the first set. Montez Coleman's extended drum solo on Monk's classic "Rhythmaning" was, however, a redeeming highlight.