September 15th, The Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
On Saturday September
15, I was pleased to discover that not all of Canada’s good jazz musicians
have left home, for Europe or the United States. Tenor saxophonist
Jane Fair returned to Vancouver’s
The
Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club, to announce the official release of her CD
Chances Are, the venue where the album was recorded live. She was joined
on stage by the same three splendid musicians that appear on the CD, drummer
Dave Robbins, outstanding bass player
Jodi Proznick and guitar virtuoso
Bill Coon.
The quartet opened the evening with the CD’s second track the emotive “Poco Luce,” one of Fair’s original tunes. Fair is not really one of those artists that is going to stun you with prolonged blaring notes from her horn, but she instead lays down lighter vibes, with rhythms that dance like the light from a flickering candle. Usually when you say you did not really notice a musician that is a bad thing, however in the case of drummer Robbins, as it applies to the 11:15 of “Poco Luce,” it is a testament to how smooth an accompaniment he provided for his fellow musicians. His drumming and cymbals were very light and sensitive allowing the deeper voice of Proznick’s bass to find the room to expand, as well as permitting Fair’s saxophone to be properly showcased.
Fair’s accomplishments as an artist have often been obscured by her tireless efforts as a teaching privately, and in recent years as a member of the faculty of the Humber College Community Music School. She also split her time between her passion for music and family. Fair began playing professionally in 1991, at a time when women and jazz musicians were not synonymous words. Along with her former student Jane Bunnett (soprano sax), and pianist Jill Hoople she fronted the Ladies Of Jazz, during the years 1986-89, long before there was a Diva Jazz Orchestra
Prior to leading her ensemble into another original tune, the title track “Chances Are,” (not to be confused with the song of the same name sung by Johnny Mathis, and written by Al Stillman and Robert Allen Peak), the Torontonian poked fun at herself and her profession saying, she is simply a “blow in from down east.” The song “Chances Are,” features some nifty fretwork from Coon. Playing without a pick, the warmth of Coon’s finger’s alternating between plucking and strumming his guitar strings was mesmerizing. What caught my ear even more with “Chances Are,” was the aggressive and emotive playing of bassist Proznick. There are many good bass players in the world of jazz, but Proznick is not simply a good player, she is a great player, who plays with intoxicating passion. Proznick’s own CD Foundations can be purchased through iTunes or her own website.
“Lazy Afternoon,” is aptly named for the languid notes that emanate from the bell of Fair’s sax, as its voice takes on a mellow timbre. Just as the title implies, “Lazy Afternoon,” is comprised of music that suggest summer day on a beach, or curling up on a rainy afternoon, with cup of hot chocolate and a good book.
Fair wrapped up her first set with a Billy Strayhorn song, “Johnny Come Lately.” The charts allow ample room for soloing and the musicians took full advantage. Barely into the song, Fair pointed dramatically across the stage at Coon, and he immediately broke into another awe-inspiring guitar solo. Robinson played what could easily be mistaken for a caffeine-inspired drum solo that left no part of his drum kit untouched.
Early in the second set, the quartet played another Strayhorn tune, “The Intimacy Of Blues,” as Fair’s saxophone adopted a sassy voice, laying down a cool groove. Proznick countered Fair’s groove with some warm vibes.
All in all, this was not just a CD release for Jane Fair’s Chances Are; this was a fabulous evening of entertainment by four superb musicians.
You will find yourself seated at a table near the stage, during the original concert, while listening to the CD Chances Are. Available on the Live At The Cellar label the album can be purchased through Jane Fair’s website or the label website.
Photos by Joe Montague ©
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Reviewed September 2007
