JAM Magazine: October/November 1997 Issue: Folly Jazz News

by Doug Tatum

On Saturday, October 25th, the opening concert of the 1997-98 Folly Jazz Series will feature pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton. This year, Chick and Gary are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their first collaboration -- the debut of one of the most enduring combinations in jazz, a debut that happened almost by accident at the 1972 Munich Jazz Festival. Gary Burton explains.

"That was the period when people were starting to make solo records; I was one of the first, as was Chick. So, the concept of that concert, which also included John McLaughlin and Jean Luc-Ponty, was the art of the solo. The promoter wanted a finale with all of us playing together, but we scoffed at that, saying we weren't a band and there was no rhythm section. The guy was desperate, though, so Chick and I volunteered to play a duet. He taught me his "La Fiesta" at the sound-check, and when we played it at the end of the concert, it was a huge hit."

Manfred Eicher, head of ECM Records, was in the audience that night. He immediately urged the two to do an album. Again, Gary Burton.

"We told Manfred, 'C'mon, who will buy an album without bass and drums?' We were laughing about it. But Manfred kept bugging us. Six months later, he lined up a festival in Berlin for us to play as a duo and he booked a recording studio for the next day. It was too convenient to refuse. We said, 'What the heck, it'll be a small record no one will notice.'"

That "small record" was the classic, Crystal Silence.

"We didn't realize how well the album was going to do until we got a call to play at the University of Michigan," recalls Gary. "There was a huge turnout, 4,000 people, to hear us play duets. We couldn't believe it. In fact, Pat Metheny, who was in my band at the time, came along as the roadie. He said, 'Let me carry your vibes. I love this record and want to be there.' After that concert, we knew we were on to something."

Two and a half decades later, their newest CD project, Native Sense (Stretch Records), is scheduled for release in early October to coincide with a 100-city tour throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The Folly is indeed proud to be presenting this concert in Kansas City!

On Friday, November 14th, the Roy Haynes Quartet will appear in concert at the Folly Theater. Performing with Roy will be alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Ed Howard.

Roy Haynes is recognized around the world as the "father of modern drumming." Despite his enormous contribution to jazz, however, he is probably better known as the sideman of choice to other jazz giants. The span of his career is quite impressive; he has worked with Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny, among countless others.

It was Roy's emergence as an early bebop drummer that first brought him to prominence. From the very beginning of his career, Roy has played with an intensity that has continually been on the cutting edge of whatever jazz style he has performed. His playing has an incredible crispness, and he has the ability to be both driving and light at the same time, qualities that have influenced virtually every jazz drummer alive.

Asked if he has had a fulfilling career, Roy states with typical enthusiasm, "Yes, yes, yes!"

It is an honor to present Roy Haynes as part of a special national touring project mounted by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest National Jazz Network. It is also worth noting that this will be the longest tour of Roy's entire career. He certainly deserves the wider public recognition that this tour should provide.

Folly Jazz concerts start at 8:00 p.m. preceded at 7:00 p.m. by our "Jazz Talk" preconcert discussions with host Dick Wright. For more information or to request a flyer, please call the Folly Theater at (816) 474-4444.

RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1997 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		by Doug Tatum On Saturday, October 25th, the opening concert of the 1997-98 Folly Jazz Series will feature pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton. This year, Chick and Gary are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their first collaboration -- the debut of one of the most enduring combinations in jazz, a debut that happened almost by accident at the 1972 Munich Jazz Festival. Gary Burton explains. "That was the period when people were starting to make solo records; I was one of the first, as was Chick. So, the concept of that concert, which also included John McLaughlin and Jean Luc-Ponty, was the art of the solo. The promoter wanted a finale with all of us playing together, but we scoffed at that, saying we weren't a band and there was no rhythm section. The guy was desperate, though, so Chick and I volunteered to play a duet. He taught me his "La Fiesta" at the sound-check, and when we played it at the end of the concert, it was a huge hit." Manfred Eicher, head of ECM Records, was in the audience that night. He immediately urged the two to do an album. Again, Gary Burton. "We told Manfred, 'C'mon, who will buy an album without bass and drums?' We were laughing about it. But Manfred kept bugging us. Six months later, he lined up a festival in Berlin for us to play as a duo and he booked a recording studio for the next day. It was too convenient to refuse. We said, 'What the heck, it'll be a small record no one will notice.'" That "small record" was the classic, Crystal Silence. "We didn't realize how well the album was going to do until we got a call to play at the University of Michigan," recalls Gary. "There was a huge turnout, 4,000 people, to hear us play duets. We couldn't believe it. In fact, Pat Metheny, who was in my band at the time, came along as the roadie. He said, 'Let me carry your vibes. I love this record and want to be there.' After that concert, we knew we were on to something." Two and a half decades later, their newest CD project, Native Sense (Stretch Records), is scheduled for release in early October to coincide with a 100-city tour throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The Folly is indeed proud to be presenting this concert in Kansas City! On Friday, November 14th, the Roy Haynes Quartet will appear in concert at the Folly Theater. Performing with Roy will be alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Ed Howard. Roy Haynes is recognized around the world as the "father of modern drumming." Despite his enormous contribution to jazz, however, he is probably better known as the sideman of choice to other jazz giants. The span of his career is quite impressive; he has worked with Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny, among countless others. It was Roy's emergence as an early bebop drummer that first brought him to prominence. From the very beginning of his career, Roy has played with an intensity that has continually been on the cutting edge of whatever jazz style he has performed. His playing has an incredible crispness, and he has the ability to be both driving and light at the same time, qualities that have influenced virtually every jazz drummer alive. Asked if he has had a fulfilling career, Roy states with typical enthusiasm, "Yes, yes, yes!" It is an honor to present Roy Haynes as part of a special national touring project mounted by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest National Jazz Network. It is also worth noting that this will be the longest tour of Roy's entire career. He certainly deserves the wider public recognition that this tour should provide. Folly Jazz concerts start at 8:00 p.m. preceded at 7:00 p.m. by our "Jazz Talk" preconcert discussions with host Dick Wright. For more information or to request a flyer, please call the Folly Theater at (816) 474-4444. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.