A friend’s facebook status this morning rang so true. He wrote that the week before Jazz Fest for adults is like the week before Christmas for kids.
This evening’s music at the Maple Leaf reflects that truism. Johnny Vidacovich will be joined by his rhythm section partner in Astral Project, the bassist James Singleton and the third will be keyboardist Robert Walter (pictured).
While most locals are familiar with Vidacovich and Singleton, Walter may need some introduction. As a member of the seminal groove-jazz band, the Greyboy Allstars, he set the standard for a new generation of keyboardists. Though that group, which also features the woodwind player, Karl Denson, occasionally regroups (they are playing a two night shows during Jazz Fest), Walter has mostly concentrated on his solo career.
He has released a series of acclaimed albums. The most recent of which, Cure All, features the aforementioned rhythm section. He has also used Stanton Moore, the drummer for Galactic, extensively on record and in live performance.
While some of the Thursday night Trio gigs descend into aimless musical meandering that demonstrate nothing, this gig is going to be something special and launches the Jazz Fest celebration for me. Here’s video of these three killer musicians from BB King’s club in New York.
