by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
In our throw-away pop culture in which popular music is fragmented into small genres, high quality improvisational music (jazz) exists as a shelter from the storm from the cacophony of other music. Locally, Simon’s is a bastion of live jazz–a civilized club where one can enjoy this indigenous American musical art form. Thus, my visit to Simon’s to cover Longineu Parsons’ avant garde Tribal Disorder was a labor of love. Longineu’s exemplary artistry and his band of exceptional musicians are well worth the time.
Joining Longineu was a cadre of the region’s most distinguished musicians–Von Barlow on drums, Lawrence Buckner on upright bass, Zack Chester on piano, and Longineu on trumpet, flugelhorn, soprano trumpet, and flute. With a touch of fall in the air, listening to Longineu was a spiritual experience as a cool breeze blew in the club’s open doors.
Longineu is famous as a world renowned trumpet avatar and professor of jazz studies at Florida A&M. At the Simon’s gig, Longineu told me he’s getting restless to play out more often. “My work at the university is all consuming,” he said. For years, Longineu toured the world playing with famous jazz artists. He speaks fluent French having lived in France during his early career. In fact, LP was born in Paris and as soon as he was old enough to sit on a stool and hold sticks, (3) he took up drums.
Indeed, I consider Longineu one of the finest jazz trumpeters in the world. His music mastery goes far beyond his erudite knowledge of music theory. He is a master of spontaneous composition, using subtlety and restraint. He chooses his notes carefully, creating musical jewels hanging in the air. His avant garde excursions with his Tribal Disorder project are also noteworthy.
With Von Barlow’s cool groove on drums, Lawrence Buckner’s brilliant bass playing, with Zack Chester’s thoughtful comping on piano, Longineu delivered memorable solos on Wayne Shorter’s foreboding Armageddon and other tasty pieces. Longineu’s vast repertoire of music includes many different modes, styles, and moods. He is a well known Satchmo (Louis Armstrong) impressionist and he sings with bluesy intensity. Longineu can get funky when the spirit moves him. Music aside, Longineu is my friend of over twenty years. I’ve always respected his pursuit of music as intellectual study. However, he is not a musical snob. He can get down and dirty. More significantly, Longineu never forgets his street savvy roots as he explores the higher spiritual consciousness of music.
It seems whenever there is quality jazz being played anywhere in the region, my friend Von Barlow is playing drums. His mastery of playing the drums as a refined musical instrument goes far beyond percussion. For years, I’ve lauded Von Barlow as the best drummer in any genre on the planet. But with Tribal Disorder, he shines, making his drums sing notes as well as percussive tones. Von Barlow plays drums like Longineu plays trumpet, with great skill and musical savvy based on his many years of playing with the stars of jazz, too numerous to mention. He is a major dude’s major dude. Check out Von Barlow’s new website www.vonbarlow.com
Longineu’s Tribal Disorder project is on the cutting edge of improvisational music. TD forges new musical territory, while simultaneously being accessible to general audiences who appreciate quality musicianship. Let’s face it, modern jazz is not on the forefront of popular culture. Still, it can be heard live in select clubs, like Simon’s. For me, it’s always a pleasure and a spiritual experience to witness Longineu perform. For more details on Longineu’s career and various projects, log onto www.longineu.com His Simon’s performance was as good as it gets. Amen!
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