SUBA TRIO

Global Rhythms: Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita SUBA Trio

The Atlantic Ocean separates Cuba and Senegal, the respective birthplaces of piano virtuoso Omar Sosa and kora master Seckou Keita, a distance diminished by their shared ancestral connection to Africa.

Recorded during lockdown and released in October 2021, Sosa and Keita’s second album SUBA is a hymn to hope, to a new dawn of compassion and real change in a post-pandemic world, a visceral reiteration of humanity’s perennial prayer for peace and unity. Joining Omar and Seckou in the studio and for live performances is the inimitable Venezuelan artist Gustavo Ovalles.

Tickets: $25.00~$50.00

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Requisites…

The Real Thing ~ Louis Hayes | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s record from the library comes from the renowned drummer Louis Hayes. He’s recorded eighteen albums as a leader and is known for his work as a sideman with Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, and many others. The Real Thing (Muse Records MR 5125) is his third date and second with this group. It was recorded in 1977 and hit the stores the following year. The album features the exceptional talents of Woody Shaw on flugelhorn (track: A2) and trumpet (A1, A3, B1 to B3), Slide Hampton on trombone (B1 to B3), Rene McLean on alto (B2, B3), soprano (A3, B1), and tenor sax (A1), Ronnie Matthews on piano and Stafford James on bass. My copy is the original U.S. Stereo album.

Side One opens with St. Peter’s Walk by Tex Allen. Hayes introduces this scorcher in an energetic exchange with the front line. After the ensemble’s theme, Woody races through the opening solo with extraordinary energy. Ronnie’s electrically charged fingers move like a shot of adrenaline, then Louis soars out of sight in a vigorous workout. Rene is featured in the opening and closing ensemble but does not solo. Nisha by Louis Hayes is a quartet feature featuring Woody on the flugelhorn. Ronnie’s gentle introduction segues to Woody’s delicate melody. Ronnie picks up the pace in a gentle first solo that hits the mark. Woody follows with a charming sincerity that fits like a glove. Stafford sustains the thoughtful mood in the closer, while Louis’s timekeeping holds everything together ahead of the climax.

Loose Suite by Ronnie Matthews is a play on Louis’s first name. The song opens with the drummer’s razor-sharp introduction ahead of an abstract quintet melody. Rene leads off with an adventurous reading. Woody charges into the second solo with lightning-fast intensity. Louis leaves the listener’s ears sizzling with explosive fireworks preceding the reprise and ending. Side Two starts with My Gift To You by Stafford James. Slide comes on board for the sextet’s medium-fast melody. Rene digs deep into the opening statement and then steps aside for Stafford, who walks briskly in the following presentation. Louis stamps his personality on the finale with propulsive power before the sextet’s closing chorus fades into oblivion.

Jack’s Tune, aka Blue Fable, is by Rene’s father, Jackie McLean, and begins with the ensemble’s vigorous melody. Rene ignites the opening solo with a fire-breathing showcase. Ronnie comes behind him with a blazing interpretation, and then Slide follows with an aggressive statement. Louis gets the last word with a brisk workout, leading to the closing chorus and abrupt climax. Marilyn’s House by Tex Allen keeps the high-voltage exhilaration of the earlier tune, with the front line leading a fiery sextet melody. Woody starts the opening statement with joyous determination. Rene comes in next to give an electrifying presentation. Slide provides the exclamation point in a dazzling reading ahead of the restatement of the theme.

Michael Cuscuna produced The Real Thing, and the recording engineer was Chuck Irwin. The sound quality is not just good, but an enjoyable sit-down and listening experience with a wide soundstage that’s sure to please the most discriminating jazz fan. This is the only studio album the group made together. Still, they also recorded a 1977 live album, The Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble Live at The Berliner Jazztage. At the end of his liner notes, noted jazz journalist Bob Blumenthal states, “Louis Hayes no longer leads this band with Woody Shaw, but it left its mark during 1976 and 1977, and the music remains real.”

Despite the group’s short tenure, the impact of their music is undeniable. The Real Thing by Louis Hayes is one of the jewels of his discography that I’m sure will leave a lasting impression on the listener. For any fan seeking a solid hard-bop album to unwind with after a long day or evening, I invite you to check out this first-rate release on your next record-shopping trip. It’s a perfect starting point to get acquainted with one of the quintessential jazz drummers and a pleasure from start to finish!

~ The Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble Live at The Berliner Jazztage (Muse Records MR 5139) – Source: Discogs.com

~ The Horace Silver Quintet, The Oscar Peterson Trio, The Cannonball Adderley Quintet and Sextet – Source: Album liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.

© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter

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ALEXIS COLE TRIO

Award-winning jazz vocalist Alexis Cole may be the most talented singer to ever hold a top-secret military clearance. A dozen albums into her critically acclaimed career, she may also be the best-kept secret in jazz, a status that’s certain to change as more people are discovering her for themselves.

The year 2009 was a big one for Alexis: She released her first albums on both Motéma Music and Venus Records… and went to Basic Training to prepare for her new job as a jazz singer for the US Army.

During her seven years in the Army’s Big Band, Cole had the opportunity to grow as a musician and a person, sharing the stage with ensembles as diverse as the New York Philharmonic and Kool and the Gang. Alexis continued recording throughout her tour of duty, releasing a string of well-received albums, including four titles for Venus, two for Motema, and two on Chesky Records. She proved her versatility on everything from jazz standards to Paul Simon’s lesser known compositions, to Disney love songs to a project on which she teamed up with a fellow serviceman 50 years her senior, the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli.

Though Alexis transformed into an insightful interpreter of jazz during her Army years, understandably, her personal advancements and achievements had to take a back seat to her military responsibilities.

Cover: $30.00~$94.00 | The latter price is dinner & show

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Gene Lake was born Oliver Gene Lake, Jr. on January 12, 1966 in St. Louis, Missouri. He began playing drums when he was five years old, and took lessons with Pheeroan akLaff as a high schooler at The High School of Music & Art in New York City. He attended Berklee College of Music, where he worked with Tommy Campbell, and played in local Boston bands in a variety of styles.

Gene played with his father in New York City in 1987 and 1988, then joined Henry Threadgill’s ensemble in 1990. Later in the Nineties, Gene worked with Steve Coleman, Lunar Crush with David Fiuczynski and John Medeski, Marcus Miller, Brandon Ross, David Sanborn, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Joe Zawinul.

He has recorded seven albums as a leader that includes The Oliver Lake Quartet, Dedication, and At This Time and another ten as a sideman. Outside of jazz, Lake also performed and recorded with R&B musicians Maxwell and Me’Shell Ndegeocello.

Drummer Gene Lake, who is the son of saxophonist Oliver Lake, continues to perform and record.

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JOHN GILBREATH

After a celebrated career that spans more than three decades at Earshot Jazz, John Gilbreath is retiring from his role as executive director. Let’s come together and celebrate with him. The evening includes mingling, music, and munchies.

Music by the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) Septet. Lite bites provided. Cash bar.

Registration required. Admission is Free. Donations Appreciated In-person*

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