It doesn’t get much better than this, especially if you follow the fusion of rock and jazz.
Three iconic musicians of the genre, guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Victor Bailey (read here for a fascinating Q&A with Bailey, courtesy of Geoff Gehman), and drummer Lenny White play Jim Thorpe’s Mauch Chunk Opera House on Saturday, September 8, for a blistering performance by one of the world’s greatest electric power trios.
Larry Coryell
It will feature CBW original tracks, along with covers of Led Zeppelin’s (“Black Dog”), Miles Davis’ classic “So What”, and Booker T. Jones’ “Born Under A Bad Sign”, as well as a James Brown hit (“Sex Machine”), a Wayne Shorter tune (“Footprints”).
“We tried to straddle the lines between ‘jazz’, ‘rock’, ‘funk’ and ‘fusion’ and whatever other names people want to put on the music,” comments Bailey, a New York City resident. Which pretty much sums up fusion itself – sort of a synthesis of power, amazing musical dexterity and technique, and nuance.
Since he began honing his skills on the guitar in New York City in 1965, Larry Coryell has recorded more than 70 albums as a bandleader, soloist and feature accompanist. Musician magazine named him to its list of 100 greatest guitarists alive today, and after releasing more than 60 albums as a leader and playing on dozens more as a sideman in the last 40 years, Larry Coryell’s definitely earned that honor.
Lenny White
Lenny White is best-known for his years with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Al DiMeola in Return To Forever, plus his stellar contribution to Miles Davis’s epochal Bitches Brew. He was soon working with some of the who’s who of jazz including Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Gato Barbieri, Gil Evans, Stanley Clarke and Stan Getz. As a member of Return To Forever during 1973-76, White gained a strong reputation as one of the top fusion drummers, but he was always versatile enough to play in many settings.
Victor Bailey
Victor Bailey took over the bassist spot from Jaco Pastorius in Weather Report in one of the more difficult assignments imaginable. Always in demand, he has toured or recorded with diverse artists such as Michael Brecker, LL Cool J, David Gilmore, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, and Sting.
Check out a Youtube video here of Bailey before his 2009 appearance at the Opera House.
Tickets are available online at MauchChunkOperaHouse.com, and at SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe, either by visiting or calling them at 570-325-0249. You may also call the Opera House box office at 570-325-0249.
“These cats sound like they’ve been playing together for decades. Nuance, impression, and subtle suggestion are all incorporated in the mix for a wonderful melodic approach to modern creative jazz” – Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
yes CBW is great, i photographed them at the check for one of their BLUE NOTE dates and stayed to hear them. C and W I have meet before but B is fantastic too! and wait until you hear him sing, he’s got a lot of emotion goiing on…. beautiful.