Stanley Clarke – January 17-20, 2008
Jazz Alley
2033 6th Avenue
phone 206.441.9729
The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents for four nights bassist Stanley Clarke, touring in support of his latest release Toys of Men. Band members joining Mr. Clarke are Ruslan Sirota (keyboards), Mads Tolling (violin) and Dennis Chambers (drums). Set times on Thursday through Saturday are at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Set time on Sunday is at 7:30pm.
Bassist/composer Stanley Clarke was around at fusion’s inception, playing with Chick Corea, George Duke, and many others. While other performers might have muddied fusion’s waters with overindulgence and blandness, Clarke’s latest release on Telarc Records Toys of Men (2007) proves that it’s still very much a viable musical route. Throughout, there’s a balance of acoustic and electric instrumentation (Clarke even plays an acoustic bass guitar on some tracks), as well as moods both contemplative (“Back In The Woods”) and darkly funky (“Game”). The six-part Toys Of Men even reflects some 1970’s prog-rock influence. If you’re an older fan of fusion you will likely be as pleased as those jam/fusion band newbies.