Jazz Spirit

Ravi Coltrane

Personnel:

Ravi Coltrane (tenor sax), David Virelles (piano), Dezron Douglas (bass--pictured), E.J. Strickland (drums)

... it had been maybe four years since i'd been to the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood. I first went to see the sun ten years ago (when Catalina's was in it's original and legendary location on Cahuenga, south of Hollywood Blvd ... 

Reluctant Blogger Check: I have to start writing more and more--about jazz, about everything ...)

On this opening night of a four night gig, the quartet played just one set (instead of the usual two) for the two hours. What an unexpected treat! Ravi and his quartet were on fire from the opening number. Selections were mostly from his new album Spirit Fiction. Although my favorite moment of the evening came from their funky interpretation of Monk's "Epistrophy". The sun, now 47, has a fuller and more personal sound than when i first heard him live early in 2002. I wonder if anyone noticed as he alluded to his father for a few seconds during one number. Or, maybe we're all a little guilty of putting an ear to a sun ray while chasing the 'Trane.