Review of Kenny Barron Trio live
At Keystone Korner-Baltimore’s Premiere Jazz & Dinner Club. Managed by NEA Jazz Master, Todd Barkan, w/cuisine by Master Chef Robert Wiedmaier
March 18 thru 20, 2022
Baltimore, MD
By Maja Rios
I spent my entire weekend of March 18- 20 via live-stream, at the legendary jazz club, Keystone Korner, now located in Baltimore, MD., after 50 years in San Francisco, CA. The now three-year-old club, in its new location, is headed by its original, legendary impresario and producer, Todd Barkan.
The Spring series began with one of my favorite pianists and composers, the great Kenny Barron, who has played at Keystone for five decades!
Kenny was joined by wonderful rhythm section of Kiyoshi Kitagawa, bass and Jonathan Blake, drums.
Kenny is a pianist who exemplifies the statement, my late jazz guitarist/ bandleader/ husband Bebop Sam, called jazz “painting on the canvas of sound”. Kenny put every nuance of color into each song he played, changing, mood, tone, harmony, and rhythm, with great skill and ease.
I was fortunate to be able to listen to several sets over the Friday through Sunday weekend. Keystone features national acts on weekends and lesser-known ones on weekdays. I will just mention some of the highlights for me he played.” How Deep Is The Ocean” a standard, began as a ballad but switched up to a soulful medium swing. The song, “Surrey With The Fringe On Top”, from old musical Oklahoma, was transformed by Kenny, into a fast, swinging, modern piece, that in no way sounded like the ” corny ditty” from the old musical.
Another favorite of mine was a Charlie Haden composition, called ” Nightfall”. A soulful, moody piece, that was magic in Kenny’s hands. It’s darkness at times became hopeful and bright as Kenny changed the musical landscape through the piece.
Another favorite was the breezy island- tinged, original, by Kenny, called, ” Cooks Bay”. Inspired by his family trip to Tahiti. This song was reminiscent of ” Poinciana” and Shirley Horn version of ” Return to Paradise”. Kenny also played another original, ” Calypso”, that was inspired by NYC West Indian neighborhood where Kenny first moved to at beginning of his career.
Friday night set included beautiful medley of Ellington/Strayhorn ballads, Star crossed Lovers, and Flower is a Lonesome Thing, and Lotus Blossom and Melancolia.
Outstanding original piece, by Kenny was ” Bud- Like” for Bud Powell, one of Kenny’s favorite pianists and mine too!
Nice drum and bass solos throughout, the three nights, as Kenny let them stretch-out on most numbers.
A totally satisfying jazz journey from a pianist that has complete command of both technique and heart.
All shows at Keystone can be viewed in person and by live stream, and as Host and Impresario, Todd Barkan says, ” Take Care of the music, and the music will take care of you”
