Jazz Greats I Met: Brian Blade
It was the Spring-Summertime of 1994. My health was bad and my relationship was worse. Just out of hospital I was at home having those thoughts that are never comfortable. So bad it was for me it turned out my make-or-break year in life. It had to be.
It was late Tuesday evening when I got a phone-call from my friend. He had just seen the Joshua Redman Quartet at the famed London jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s and gave his visiting quartet a smashing rave review. I had never heard of him but I had three albums by his father, Dewey Redman, The Ear of The Behearer, 80/81 and Song X. The recommendation I should go see Redma’s band is one I could not resist.
In 1992/93 I was a member and attended Ronnie Scott’s every Thursday. In 1994 I became a postgraduate student and rather use my NUS card discount than pay for full membership. So, 48 hours later it was Thursday and I left Camberwell where I lived for Soho in central London. That’s where Ronnie Scott’s was.
I arrive most events early. Outside the jazz club was the kind of buzz in the air that you could sense without effort when audiences are about to see a superstar or great person they revere.
Near the reception a guy in a red turtle neck and a shaved head approached me walking slowly and we made eye contact that was intense. He was smallish in comparison; I stood at 6ft 3in and weighed 17 stone. He did not stop walking and as he was very close to me, he said “Hi, Big Guy.” “I am doing good” I replied and he said “Good (cool).” He walked by as if without a care in the world. I did not know who he was.
The usher, a pleasant lady knew me as a regular. She could see I was struggling to move and she ushered me to a table that would give me both the easiest exit and access to the loo. She did this through her observation and initiative. I did not tell her a word but she had seen I was not in a good place.
The band took their places on the stage. Joshua Redman – saxes, Eric Reed – piano, Christian McBride – bass and Brian Blade – drums. Ronnie Scott himself comes out to introduce the band and the music starts.
After the first song Redman asked us in the audience if anyone knew where he could get a haircut.
What mesmerised me and perhaps most of the audience was a surprise. Brian Blade the drummer who had just called me Big Guy. Joshua Redman was the superstar who lived up to his reputation on his horn, a soprano sax first hitting difficult notes. Christian McBride was the only member of the band I had known prior. Best bassist in the world was an arguably fair title for him. Eric reed was the other surprise. Reed was serious looking one and played so wearing a jacket which was good for the otherwise casual look of the band.
Brian Blades playing was near-superhuman in not just his sound but theatrics too. I lack the skill to describe his playing that evening in a few words. I’ll try. He conjured images of a surgeon with a blade during a delicate operation. And a well calibrated drum machine. Or a mischievous imp taunting his drumkit. And an athlete waiting on Olympic judges to score him for hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder movements. Yes, he was hitting, scooping, chopping, cutting and shifting with his drumsticks with an assurance that defies error.
His shifts in tempo and rhythm were so fine-tuned to be shocking. He made me think of Lester Bowie wearing a white lab coat during his performances. Blade’s art on the drum was just as scientific. Now roll all these impressions into one. A great performance where chaos and order shift as they please.
The band got standing ovations. Only Brass Fantasy out of the scores of bands I saw play at Ronnie Scott’s got a more emphatic standing ovation. Apart from Airto Moreira with his Fourth World band and Don Famoudou Moye with Arthur Blythe – Cole Porter band got the level audience reaction Blade received at the club.
It was a historic moment by a superlative band.
Went down to the where musicians relax during their break. I wanted to talk to Blade but he was not there. On my way out I met him again talking to a guy about Sonny Rollins. “Hey Big Guy,” he said again but it was not the best time for me to chat with him. He was hot.
I could not wait to see him or the second set of the Quartet to prevent another row at home the first set ended at 11:00pm. But something happened. The first set of the Joshua Redman’s Quartet performance must have altered my aura because when I got home it was to seconds of sternness then cheerful peace that lasted a week. Respite!
And that’s the metaphysics of a jazz thing.
Grimot Nane
Note: Jazz Greats I Met: Brian Blade may continue. I shall meet him again perhaps in London. I started this series with my meeting of Clifford Jarvis.