TERENCE BLANCHARD FEATURING THE E-COLLECTIVE WITH THE TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET
Music composed by Terence Blanchard, David Ginyard, Charles Altura & others
Featuring the E-Collective
– Trumpet & synth: Terence Blanchard
– Electric guitar: Charles Altura
– Electric bass: David Ginyard Jr.
– Piano, keyboard & synth: Taylor Eigsti
– Drums: Oscar Seaton
Strings performed by the Turtle Island Quartet
– Violin: David Balakrishnan
– Violin: Gabriel Terracciano
– Viola: Benjamin von Gutzeit
– Cello: Malcolm Parson
September 3, 2024
Cotton Club
Tokyo, Japan
PART 1: A LOVE LETTER TO WAYNE SHORTER
I have long wanted to see distinguished film composer and jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard in concert, and when I finally saw him perform last night at the Cotton Club Tokyo, I was blown away by not only his superb trumpet playing, but also his band the E-Collective and the revelatory Turtle Island Quartet.
Together, they performed selections from their 2021 album ABSENCE, which Blanchard described on stage as “a love letter to Wayne Shorter.” A handful of other pieces were performed including “Flow” from the Grammy-nominated album of the same name.
PART 2: THE MUSIC
Definitely not in a state of absence
The evening kicked off with a silky-smooth performance of “Absence,” the opening track from the ABSENCE album.
Starting with solitary piano, the electric guitar and strings then gently came in to give the piece a slightly off-kilter vibe. The mood suddenly jumped a few notches as the rest of the band joined and the deep sounds of the electric bass dominated.
How’s that for a dare?
I was most looking forward to hearing live the original Blanchard composition, “I Dare You,” and boy, did it not disappoint.
Opening on a string melody inspired by Beethoven’s 5th Symphony with bass and drums driving the music forward, the audience soon went wild – myself especially – as the rest of the band entered and asserted their authority with their own reading of the melody.
This killer melodic line was repeated throughout by the bass as show-stopping solos on piano, guitar and the trumpet swept through the piece.
It was the most filmic piece of the night, expertly painting a picture of a hostile rivalry in which the opponents were trying to “outdare” each other. Indeed, this piece would have worked perfectly as score to a film.
A guitar at dusk
While I couldn’t quite catch the name of this piece, I do remember Blanchard pointing to guitarist Charles Altura and informing the crowd that it was his composition.
It had a gorgeous and extended opening electric guitar solo by Altura that suggested vistas at sunset, whiskeys and quiet reflection. It was pure beauty that I just didn’t want to end.
Wassup Tokyo!
After Altura’s hypnotic turn at the guitar, Blanchard finally took to the microphone to welcome the audience and introduce the musicians for the night.
There’s really nothing cooler than seeing Blanchard come out on stage in funky red eyeglass frames and say “Wassup Tokyo!”
Groovin’ with the Turtles
It was now time for the Turtle Island Quartet to come out and dazzle the crowd as Blanchard and the E-Collective left the stage for a quick break.
My first time hearing them, I was absolutely knocked out by the Quartet’s performance and versatility.
They played an original piece called “Groove in the Louvre,” which violinist David Balakrishnan described as being inspired by French jazz great, Stéphane Grappelli.
This cheeky, playful, and vibrant piece was a real joy to hear, with each member of the quartet playing their own melodic lines with crystal clear clarity yet in perfect harmony with each other. They even created impressive percussive effects with the strings that I have never heard before. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a string quartet play music like this in the manner they did; it was truly impressive and totally worth the price of admission.
Chaos in “Kaos”
Blanchard and the E-Collective returned to the stage to perform the aptly titled, “Kaos.” Chaotic in mood and style, this piece was littered with killer solos that left the audience in raptures.
An encore with Hancock and the flow
After the “kaos” came the much needed “Flow,” the mellow title piece from the album of the same name.
Before playing this piece Blanchard explained that it had special significance. He went on to tell us that this piece was born out of a conversation with Herbie Hancock at a recording session. The story goes that they had run out of music to record, so Hancock responded by saying that because they were musicians, they should just create, and create they did!
The piece was a nice change of pace and a perfect way to end the night.
PART 3: EVERYONE A HEADLINE ACT
Everyone that performed last night was a standout – there were no weak links, and there were no members of the audience that went home disappointed.
I must make special mention about Blanchard’s trumpet and the incredible sound it makes.
I have never seen a trumpet like his before; it’s almost space-age in appearance. But oh that sound! It’s not that strong and piercing trumpet sound that I’m used to hearing in jazz clubs and studio recordings – it’s dense, weighty, and has enormous power like the blast of multiple trumpets at once. Yet it’s a controlled, precise and confident sound. Very cool!
PART 4: FALL
In the lead up to last night’s concert I had purchased ABSENCE on CD and had it on heavy rotation.
While I was overjoyed to hear “I Dare You” live, I wish they had spared a few minutes to play their sensational cover of Shorter’s “Fall.” Maybe next time. Please 😊
PART 5: A REVIEW OF “ABSENCE”
To learn more about Blanchard’s ABSENCE album, here’s an excellent review:
Terence Blanchard: Absence (Album Review) (popmatters.com)
If only I could write reviews as eloquent and insightful as this!
PART 6: OVER TO YOU
Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?
And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.
