[net.music] Kool Jazz, George Wein, Cecil Taylor and Oscar Peterson)

mfs@mhuxr.UUCP (SIMON) (07/08/85)

> --last year's Cecil Taylor/Oscar Peterson concert
> comes to mind (I wasn't there, but I heard that most of the audience left
> when Cecil started playing, and thos who didn't hadn't been there for
> Oscar's set...)
> 
I was at that show. it was indeed strange. Peterson played
his usual impeccable trio music, then left the stage, to thunderous applause.
After a short break, Taylor came in, dancing. He could not have choreographed
the audience better. Peterson's fans, mostly well heeled, with tickets in
the orchestra, started walking out (a few assholes booed), while the Taylor
faithful trooped down from the balconies, getting better seats.
I can't help beleive that Cecil taylored (no pun intended) what he played
that day to this odd audience dance. He built most of his playing around
a two note motif, which he later augmented with a complementary three
note lick. He jumped off the stool a few times and joined the dance.
He was beautiful. Those of us left at the end gave him a 10 minute
standing ovation. My wife had never seen him before (she is also a dancer)
and was floored. She inspired most of the above paragraph. It was her who
heard the parallel between the music and the audience movements.
Never a dull moment....

Of course, the fool who scheduled this particular double bill should be shot.....
>
> I did catch LMO at Sweet Basil's and it was great.....
> LMO is definitely worth going to see.
> 
> Bill Hery

Thanks for the info!

Marcel Simon