Caught a living legend last night at UWS jazz club Smoke, where alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, 86, is in residency with his veteran quintet:
Steve Davis – trombone
Jeb Patton – piano
Boris Kozlov – bass
Kenny Washington – drums
McPherson, a bebop pioneer who was a longtime member of Charles Mingus’ band in addition to his own six decade career as a leader, has been packing them in all week. As pianist Ethan Iverson said after last night’s set, McPherson’s playing had, “total freedom and the human cry of the blues.”
Two more shows tonight at 6 and 8pm: tickets and info available on Smoke’s website.
