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| Adam Meckler conducts his orchestra at the Ritz Theater |
© Andrea Canter
The vitality of the Twin Cities Jazz scene is a frequent
topic of discussion, even debate. Each time a venue closes, angst surfaces.
Each time a venue opens (or adds jazz), guarded optimism reigns. Let’s face
it—like restaurants, jazz venues come and go, come and go. Audiences, too, seem
to wax and wane. I don’t think the openings and closings of venues or music
series is the best indicator of the health of our music scene, jazz or
otherwise. Rather, I think one good barometer is the vitality of the Adam
Meckler Orchestra and similar ensembles that not only tap the highest level of area
talent, but also the depth of that talent, day to day, week to week.
The new Tuesday Night Big Band series at teeny Jazz Central
presents logistical challenges – squeezing 15-20 musicians into a performance
space tight already for a quartet, and leaving enough breathing room for 30-50
listeners. And you would think a weekly
big band series—and particularly one that emphasizes modern approaches to the
big band concept—would squeeze the Twin Cities’ talent pool. After all, there
are other venues presenting jazz on any given Tuesday night!
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| Adam Meckler |
I’d heard the Adam Meckler Orchestra before, about a month
ago on the theater stage of The Ritz, a stage intended for orchestras and
full-scale theater productions. Beyond the obvious talent of
composer/conductor/trumpeter Meckler himself, I was impressed by the artistry
of his ensemble of 18, many of whom were new to me, probably new on the scene
given the average age of the horn section alone was maybe 25? Each soloist
seemed capable of drawing an approving audience in his or her own right. Each
comes with stellar credentials. Each could hold his or her own with the area’s
popular veterans. And yet most of us were asking, “Who are these guys?”
When the suburban Shorewood discontinued its own Tuesday Big
Band Night, Jazz Central wasted little time offering an alternative—a rotating
schedule of 4 or 5 of the metro’s cutting-edge, big band ensembles. Yes, the space
was never intended to support big bands. And no, there is surely no room to
improvise a dance floor. Jazz Central is presenting big bands the same way they
present guest soloists with a small combo on Monday nights—as concert music, as
a space for experimentation, as a launching pad for new collaborations. You can
hear established heavy hitters like the Cedar Avenue Big Band, or relatively
new ensembles like the Meckler Orchestra, or the debut of the cross
generational partnership of Doug Haining and Scott Agster. And you can get
blown away by the sheer immensity of the sound if you sit at one of the
first-row tables. But take a chair closer to the living room wall or even in
the adjoining back room if you really don’t want to feel like you are part of
the horn section.
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| Nelson Devereaux |
Last night, Adam Meckler introduced a few new members of his
somewhat rotating cast—busy Graydon Peterson took over on bass, Steve Hobert sat at the grand piano, and there
was one gray-haired veteran splitting lead trumpet duties, Pete Davis.
Otherwise the tightly spaced chairs were filled with many 20-somethings who
have been with Meckler for the past year—including Noah Ophoven-Baldwin, Nelson
Devereaux, Cameron Kinghorn, Jason Faubus, Tyler Anderson, Ben Doherty, Angie
Hirsch. Names we are just beginning to
hear in other settings, other enembles, or names we most surely will be hearing
more often, soon.
Maybe this is our version of the Maria Schneider
Orchestra—an ensemble that mixes a few high profilers with some lesser known
veteran players and some seriously talented up-and-comers, all under the
leadership of a composer who isn’t afraid to push the band into harmonic and
rhythmic territory seldom approached by big band charts, who offers
wide-ranging ideas that never leave melodicism to chance. Yet I suspect that
Meckler’s band will serve more as a starting point for future stars with a few
steady anchors and otherwise a rotating cast –always reminding us that the
depth of talent in Twin Cities jazz is ever growing and ever deepening.
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| Meckler solos with his orchestra at the Ritz |
And with the Tuesday night Big Band series ongoing at Jazz
Central, such ensembles will have a place to call home, to try out new material
(and new musicians), to interact “up close and personal” with the most
appreciative fans in town.
Remember to leave an appreciative donation in the “drum
bucket.” We have a lot of mouths to feed.
Jazz Central is
located in the lower studio level of 408 Central Av NE in Minneapolis. Guest artists and jams every
Monday night starting at 8:30 pm. Big Band gigs every Tuesday at 8:30 pm.
Sometimes other music. Usually no cover but donations recommended! Check the website; more on Adam Meckler
Orchestra at http://amorchestra.bandcamp.com/
