An impression of the 105th “Jazz: Live at the Library!” concert

One hundred five shows of free and open to the public, jazz at Lexington, KY Central Library’s Farish Theater, as of January 14, 2016.  Amazing, isn’t it that jazz has been going on right here in Lexington once a month since April, 2007. The Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc. and Jamey Aebersold Jazz have sponsored and put on this excellent musical event 105 times with over 180 different musicians. Last night’s event, a tribute to Lexington’s own Norman Higgins was sold out. Raleigh Dailey/piano, Larry Nelson and son Joel Nelson/saxophone, Ryan McGillicuddy/bass, Rick Cook/trumpet and “Drummer Dave” McWhorter, President of Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc. (JAF) played cool jazz to a packed auditorium. A few of cool jazz greats represented were Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker Quartet. One of the coolest pieces of the night (in my opinion) was Walking Shoes, a tune attributed to The Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker on trumpet.  Rick Cook took this arrangement to heart and blew giant steps, like a man walking with pride, down the street side by side an entourage of at least 5 foxy ladies. At the onset of this arrangement, I felt swinging and sashaying hips, with some skips and hops from pianist Raleigh Dailey, like ladies prancing and playing on their way to the nightclub. When bassist Ryan McGillicuddy stepped in for his solo the image of a hefty, sexy, shy lady tiptoeing on stilettos took over the stage.  Walking Shoes was one of the most descriptive pieces played but not the only one that showed off the talents of the ensemble. Take Five, a Dave Brubeck Quartet favorite (written by Quartet saxophonist, Paul Desmond), showed off the inventiveness and versatility of each individual, especially Drummer Dave, who showed everyone the depth of his drumming expertise. It was a fun night in an intimate setting that occurs the second (2nd) Thursday of every month at the downtown Lexington Library’s Farish Theater from 7PM-8:30PM and is FREE to all. You can find out more by visiting this website often. Check out their list of local and regional events and become a member.
Catherine Perkins