Barry Overstreet – Tenor Sax
Jon Hall – Piano
Pete Lowit – Bass
Nigel MacKenzie – Drums
We had a great time last night and it was very satisfying to hear Barry with different musicians from the last gig, playing equally well and for me, personally, broadening my approach to both soloing and accompanying. Barry’s expansive style and warm sound borrows from both Funk and Soul music, but also the post-Coltrane school, where familiar songs are thoroughly re-examined and their rhythmic and harmonic potential is explored in a free and unconstrained manner. Of course that is the ideal, but it is wonderful to even begin to go in that direction. Playing tunes like Every Time We Say Goodbye and My Favourite Things made me want to do more homework on just how John Coltrane re-harmonised them and, in the latter tune, stepped well away from the conventional take on a pretty tune. So thank you, Barry, it was educational and I’m sure it will continue to be so.
Other memorable moments were Pete Lowit’s bass solo on Everytime, Nigel MacKenzie’s thoughtful and always spot-on solos and fills whether with brushes or sticks. Barry led a committed group through the modal washes of Freddie Hubbard’s Little Sunflower, the gospel/funk and steady tempo of Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by Joe Zawinul, a driving version of Miles Davis’ All Blues and finally a very swinging rendition of Pennies From Heaven.
Looking forward to the next time!
Jon Hall
Moray Jazz Club 