MUMBAI: The word was out for months in advance that one of the greatest jazz –blues guitarist Scott Henderson is looking forward to tour India. And, for those who love jazz, blues, guitars and live music, this meant canceling all the other insignificant things and ensuring that â€?this’ experience is not missed.
Staying true to the marks they have set for high standards of musicianship, The Scott Henderson Trio was nothing less than terrific during their over two hour performance on 15 March at Bandra’s St. Andrews Auditorium… and this was just the beginning.
At 8 pm, Guitarist Scott Henderson walked up in his trademark black tee-blue jeans combo and his preferred Suhr guitar. Known as someone with a great sense of humor, Henderson was quick to remark just before he was about to start, Please reduce the lights on the stage â€?cuz this is making us feel like fried chickens up here. Instead, put the lights on the audience…. we like to see the audience we are playing for… yes… it’s always good to play for an audience and not some black hole….
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Looking at the 50 plus Henderson, who has performed with the likes of Chick Corea Elektric Band among many others, it seemed he is someone who is perhaps never away from music. And, even as he entered the stage, it felt he was straight out of some secret stage that was perhaps built in his green room! Accompanying Scott Henderson were two brilliant musicians Allan Hertz (on drums) and John Humprey (on bass). And, to mention a bit about the most important elements of a concert, i.e the sound, well… it was â€?just perfect’.
The following two hours was a ride into world of jazz and blues, and musical ideas that rarely fall on our ears. Scott Henderson style of music is perhaps something that cannot be defined, but the way he experiments and interweaves blues and jazz is extraordinary for sure, and just to draw a parallel in context of Indian classical music – it’s as challenging as effectively merging and playing around with two distinct raaga’s that emote different moods.
One of his strikingly unique solo last night was something that he had composed for Tribal Tech – a band he had formed in 1984 along with bassist Gary Willis. The song was a unique combination of jazz soloing over tribal beats that displayed Henderson’s command over the instrument and at the same time his unique sense of timing. Henderson also played material of Jazz greats like Joe Zawinul and Herbie Hancock besides performing to some of his compositions like â€?Festival of Ghosts’ that he soon plans to record. Well, there was also a song that he dedicated to Sandeep Chowta’s dog, who he jokingly said had become his good friend in the past few days. Before playing one of the songs, he said, I hope I do record these songs, most of the time I am busy watching Spongebob Square Pants!…
Interestingly, Henderson has also recorded for Sandeep Chowta’s ambitious music album â€?Matters of the Heart’ and mentioned that the composer would soon be writing a piece for him.
While Henderson was gripping, drummer Allan Hertz and bassist John Humprey had their own allure. Hertz’ tight drumming had so much of virtuosity and clarity that whatever he played rang in the ears, while bassists Humprey’s slapdash – careless bass solo was something out of the world. It was fascinating to see everyone glued to his bass solo maintaining a deafening silence. But that was not all; the performances that came in the last 15 minutes were something that will remain in the memories of those who attended. The trio was called back on the stage thrice… for that one more song.
The audience included guitar enthusiasts, jazz music lovers, and some of the popular names of bollywood composers like Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Medonsa, Rabbi Shergill and R D Burman’s arranger Kerci Lord.
The concert was organized by Sandeep Chowta Projects.
OOPS!! Scott Henderson uses guitar made by Suhr, and not Fender
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