by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
The Brick Restaurant in Avondale beats to the sound of jazz, adding a touch of musical class to this popular eatery. I visited The Brick to catch sax king Al Maniscalco with Rick Revelo on upright bass performing their duo last Thursday night. It was the sound of bare-bones saxophone and double bass that brightened up the cool night air. As duos go, this is an unusual union, showcasing Al’s masterful improvising and sweet tone with only the bass as rhythm.
Al is a graduate of UNF. In fact, I remember him back in the early 90s, when Rich Matteson was still alive, as a member the UNF Jazz Ensemble II. Later, Al went on to get his master’s degree from Towson University. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Baltimore, Maryland to set up shop as an in-demand star player with his quartet.
Recently, Al moved back to Jacksonville to take a full time job with Buffet Crampon USA selling high quality French-made instruments at the company’s Beach Boulevard store. Meanwhile, Al has been playing gigs around the region with his quartet and his special duo on Thursday nights at The Brick.
Over the years, Al has built up a stellar reputation as a saxophone avatar in Florida and the Baltimore region. Al just released his third CD, titled One Blessed Day, on his own label, Jalkoda Records. Yes, this sax cat is prowling on the jazz circuits playing outstanding music that transcends the jazz background tag.
In many situations, jazz tends to be reduced to background music in venues that feature jazz ensembles. It’s an approachable sound that people can talk over. Al’s artistry skewers that mundane concept, demanding that jazz aficionados listen. Of course, these hip jazz lovers are in the minority. However, there are a few in every crowd.
The Brick is a classy eatery that draws more than a few jazz devotees. The duo configuration may be too laid back for the high noise level in this particular restaurant. Still, if one listens carefully one can hear the consummate artistry coming through. Al’s melodic, stripped down playing is the antithesis of some bozo playing solo saxophone for tips at the Landing.
With Rick Revelo’s excellent bass playing providing the only rhythm section, the duo proves how much can be done with less. In other words, it takes advanced layers to pull off such a minimal presentation.
Since attending UNF, Al has amassed a resumé to die for. He has performed with Branford Marsalis, Tony Bennet, Valery Ponomarev, George Colligan, Curtis Lundy, Billy Hart, and Chuck Mangione. In 1992, Al was selected the winner for the Jazz Category in the Great South Florida Sound Search sponsored by the Miami Herald.
Today, Al is expanding his fan base to include international audiences. His recent performances in Hong Kong and Italy garnered many fans to his distinct sound and style. He plans to return to Europe and Asia in the near future.
While listening to Al play, I was reminded of the late great Paul Desmond, in regard to Al’s sweet tone and attention to the melody, which even in his most obscure improvisational excursions, he restates, so the theme stays with the listener. Jazz improvisation is misunderstood by the general public. The best players restate the motif (basic theme) so it doesn’t drift into abstract chaos, losing the listener’s attention. Al’s showcase playing is a delicate balancing act of creative improvisation and disciplined restating of the melody. That’s why I thought of Paul Desmond in comparison to Al’s playing. Desmond’s tone was sweet as honey, and he carefully developed his spontaneous compositions, which included the motif, cleverly woven into his solos.
When all is said and done, it’s a much more satisfying experience listening to players like Al Maniscalco or Paul Desmond. As an excellent example of Desmond’s genius, I would recommend his solos on Dave Brubeck’s Jazz Impressions of Japan. To sample Al Maniscalco’s brilliant playing, check out his CD, More in my Heart available on Al’s website almaniscalco.com.
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