The Master Lloyd and His Youthful Companions

The Wesleyan University Crowell Concert Series opens the second half of the 2010-2011 season with the Charles Lloyd Quartet on Friday January 28 at 8 p.m. The saxophonist/flautist/composer first came to prominence in the early 1960s as the music director of drummer Chico Hamilton's Quintet and as a member of the Cannonball Adderley Group. But, it was his first "classic:" Quartet that took both the rock music and jazz world by storm in the mid-to-late 60s, the group that introduced most of the world to pianist Keith Jarrett, drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Cecil McBee.  Their Atlantic Records Lp "Forest Flower", recorded live at the 1966 Monterey Jazz Festival, was a big hit and critical success and the band spent much of the next 3 years touring the world and recording.  At the height of his success, he left the music scene.

Over the next few years, he kept a low profile but recorded with The Doors, Canned Heat, and The Beach Boys, even touring with the latter group in the latter years of the decade.  But, it was not until 1989 when he signed with ECM Records that he began to tour again on a regular basis.  He's assembles a number of excellent groups featuring pianists Bobo Stenson, Geri Allen, and West Hartford-native Brad Mehldau, bassists, Palle Danielsson and Larry Grenadier, drummers Jon Christensen, Billy Hart, and Billy Higgins and occasional appearances by guitarist John Abercrombie. After Higgins passed in 2002, Houston native Eric Harland joined the group and is still there, anchoring the rhythm section with bassist Reuben Rogers and pianist Jason Moran (2010 recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant.)

Their latest CD, "Mirror", came out last Fall with music ranging from gospel tunes to Thelonious Monk to Brian Wilson's "Caroline, No."  Every member of the band is a fine improviser as well as intelligent accompanist, allowing the music to move off in fascinating directions. Harland is one of today's most sought-after drummers, a member of the SF Jazz Collective, and busy session player.  Rogers also works with saxophonist Joshua Redman and pianist Aaron Goldberg (to name but 2) - his sense of time is impeccable and his melodic counterpoint works well beneath the flowing music.   Moran and his Trio, known as Bandwagon, celebrated their 10th anniversary this past year and the CD that ensued, "Ten" (Blue Note), landed on many "Best-of.." lists.  Also a Houston, TX, native (like Harland), his creativity in smashing categories, blending genres, incorporating elements of modern classical music with "hip-hop" with various jazz forms, has earned great (and deserved) acclaim.

I know the concert is 3 weeks away but tickets are going quickly.  The day before, Thursday July 27, Mr. Lloyd will take part in a panel discussion titled "A Conversation about Music and Spirituality" at 4:15 p.m. in the CFA Hall (the old CFA Cinema near Zilkha Gallery.)  The event is free and open to the public.

For ticket information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa or call the Box Office at 860-685-3355.

Here's a look at The Charles Lloyd Quartet, complete with a short interview.