It was no accident that the World Stage presented a young quintet and a deep-veteran quintet -- each with significant history riding the World's Leimert Park boards -- on back-to-back Fridays. We were intended to observe how much the venue's three-plus decades have meant to the legacy of L.A. jazz. Real jazz, the kind that comes from community.
We've known Charles Owens forever through his saxifying and teaching. For the sake of ease and excellence, he brought in pianist Theo Saunders, bassist Henry Franklin, drummer Don Littleton and guitarist Steve Cotter, who all fit together like jigsaw pieces in service to compositions by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Herbie Hancock, Bud Powell, Mal Waldron and Freddie Hubbard. From swing to bop, every song sounded timeless, especially when Saunders commandeered a walking blues and guided it into Monk's boiling kitchen. Owens' tenor and soprano sounded as if he were talking, right here, right now, about love and aspiration, off the bumpy road of experience. Sharp hat and vest too, of course.
Still only 22, Jamael Dean seemed possessed by some ancient ghost, his fingers blowing across the keys like leaves across a lawn, each run and phrase an instant composition. With bassist Chris Palmer, drummer Alex Smith, Trane-bred alto saxist Devin Daniels and barefoot singer Sharada Shaslider ready at every turn, the ensemble looked to the past for inspiration from Andrew Hill, Randy Weston, Wayne Shorter and Sun Ra. As for the present, was that a swinging takeoff on the Michael Bublé ballad "Close Your Eyes"?
Recordings are fine, but this unprecedented series of World Stage streams deserves permanent archiving. Future generations will look back and marvel.
* * *
Watch Charles Owens' concert here.
Watch Jamael Dean's concert here.
Donate here.