November 17th, Brian Bromberg's Downright Upright All Stars at
the Triple Door in Seattle, WA
On Saturday November 17th, the musicians on stage at the Triple Door in Seattle, Washington, were introduced as today’s stars, and they more than lived up to that billing. The Brian Bromberg Downright 
Upright All Stars, comprised of Randy Brecker (trumpet / flugelhorn), drummer Dave Weckl, Mitchel Forman (piano / electric keyboard), tenor saxophonist Gary Meek and of course Brian Bromberg on acoustic upright bass, are living jazz legends, who have been delighting audiences in their solo careers and with other ensembles for decades.
Bromberg, who could easily make his living as a standup comedian, referenced several songs from the period of jazz that he loves best, the sixties and seventies. The most scintillating performance of the evening occurred in the middle of the set with the All Stars interpretation of the late Josef Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” Forman introduced the piece with some dramatic piano chops that became even more evocative as the song progressed. The song however, really belonged to the splendid playing of the horns, as Brecker worked out the valves of his trumpet, and Meek made his sax sing. As they did throughout much of the evening the two men seemed to delight in, and were inspired by each other’s playing. Brecker periodically flashed a grin reminiscent of a boy who had just talked his parents into an extra scoop of ice cream. When Brecker soloed, Meek would slide to the edge of the stage, and Brecker would do the same when Meek soloed, allowing each musician to bask alone in their audience’s adulation. Bromberg laid down a smooth bassline.
Many of the songs that were performed appear on Bromberg’s current CD Downright Upright, such as the original composition “The Hacha Cha Cha,” a song that once again nodded to the music of the sixties and seventies. The song which Bromberg says possesses shades of Horace Silver, had plenty of open sections for the musicians to show their stuff, including the percussive solo by Bromberg.
One of the funniest moments during the evening occurred when Bromberg was introducing his original song “Sunday Mornin’,” (from Downright Upright), a tune that he described as a Jewish guy (Bromberg), writing a gospel song. He paused and then added that he really should have called it “Saturday Mornin’.” The passionate approach that Bromberg takes to his instrument, and the obvious fun that he has while performing are contagious. The audience was seduced by his charm, and unlike some artists who do not find their comfort zone when talking to their fans, Bromberg has the ability to instantly bond with them.
The Brian Bromberg Downright Upright All Stars brought their set to a close with Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island,” a song in which Weckl was finally unleashed to perform a drum solo. Drummers are most often pushed to the back of the stage, so Weckl’s solo was probably what most patrons viewed as the highlight of his playing, however throughout the evening, he consistently proved why he is regarded as one of the finest drummers on the music scene.
As the evening was drawing to a close, a black backdrop appeared, with what seemed like thousands of twinkling stars. On this evening, the stars truly did come out.
Reviewed By Joe Montague
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Reviewed November 17, 2007
Riveting Riffs wishes to thank the management of The Triple Door for making it possible for Riveting Riffs to review this concert
