Chuck Anderson/Jimmy Bruno: Philadelphia, January 15, 2011
By Victor L. Schermer
Chuck Anderson/Jimmy Bruno Duo
Roller’s Flying Fish
8142 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, January 15, 2011
When two self-propelled master guitarists like Chuck Anderson and Jimmy Bruno get together, it’s a certainty that sparks are going to fly, but not necessarily in what direction. How would these two individualistic players combine forces–and why?
Anderson and Bruno both came out of the same hotbed of Philly jazz in the 1960s, and swapped potentially lucrative careers as staff musicians to play in formats they loved. Each went through periods of relative inactivity due to medical issues–Anderson with a long bout of undiagnosed sleep apnea that left him depressed and lacking energy, and Bruno with carpal tunnel syndrome–but both recovered well, thanks to excellent medical care, and are back, true to form. Despite their unique styles, they have a great deal in common. Around a year ago, Anderson approached Bruno about a collaboration that would soon include a CD, Images, currently in progress.
Wanting to first show their wares in a laidback venue, the duo gave its first live performances on January 14th and 15th, 2011, in Philly’s Chestnut Hill district at Roller’s Flying Fish, a hip restaurant with a newly evolving jazz club on the second floor that has already featured the legendary pianist Mose Allison. With shows arranged and hosted by guitarist Jim Dragoni, Roller’s was a natural place to gather some jazz and guitar fans together for a listen to this new duet format.
The upstairs space consists of a room that could be someone’s den or living room, with good acoustics, a cash bar, and folding chairs arranged to seat about fifty people. It was packed with Bruno and Anderson fans, and eclectic jazz lovers. The two guitarists occupied a comfortable staging area, and their amplifiers delivered excellent sound throughout. Anderson emceed, summarizing the basis of their collaboration and offering well-deserved encomiums for Bruno.
The set consisted mostly of jazz standards, performed in the 1960s-era style of swinging hard bop which Bruno has taken to its outer limits of speed, technique, and expression. Both guitarists were lyrical when they had to be, at other times taking Paganini-like fast runs that were almost heart-stopping. Their sounds differed, with Anderson’s sharp execution and Bruno’s effortless flow, yet they blended effectively, and with the “closed-eye” test it was almost impossible to tell them apart. They co-improvised beautifully, at times achieving stunning turns of phrase that were synchronized in the mind-boggling way that only such virtuoso musicians can achieve.
“Out of Nowhere” was delivered in straight-ahead up-tempo fashion, while, by contrast, the duo’s version of “Lover Man” began with a slow, rubato statement of the theme that picked up to a rhythmic waltz tempo with a Latin lilt. The Les Paul influence was felt on the reflective “When Sonny Gets Blue,” while “There Will Never Be Another You” featured stunning pyrotechnics, with each guitarist comping for the other’s solos. A highlight was Bruno’s solo version of Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring,” done in diverse variations that fully captured the exhilarating flavor of the song, while also serving to illustrate what miracles Bruno can accomplish on his instrument.
The set concluded with three originals, beginning with the Anderson-Bruno collaboration “Fantasy,” to be recorded in an ensemble format on the upcoming (and long in preparation) CD. The tune and the CD are based on Anderson’s specialty of composing tunes that cross genre boundaries, but generally stay within traditional harmonies and textures, embodying his concept of electric guitar as a “classical” instrument. Anderson then performed a lyrical rendition of his original, “Song for Corinne.” The closing number, “Jimmy’s Blues,” could have been one of those tunes written on the spot to take the set out in a lively, foot-stomping way. The audience was obviously gratified and thrilled to hear these two outlandishly superb guitarists in an intimate neighborhood setting.
Currently living in suburban Philadelphia, renowned composer and jazz guitarist Chuck Anderson has formed a deeply-rooted presence in the music world. He has worked as a staff guitarist for the Latin Casino and Valley Forge Music Fair, having performed with such musicians as Peggy Lee, Billy Eckstine and Michel LeGrand. He established and performed with a trio in 1973, and devoted many years to composing, teaching, and playing as a session musician. Anderson has recently returned to the scene with a newly formed jazz trio.
The group released the album “Freefall” this year, featuring twelve original tunes. Composed of Anderson on guitar, Eric Schreiber on bass, and Ed Rick on drums, the music is a unique style of contemporary guitar jazz. All music tells a story, and this kind of music speaks loud and clear through captivating guitar work, walking bass lines, and riveting drum solos. This particular language of jazz paints beautiful imagery. Even those who are not typically jazz fans would probably like it. Anderson plays with such freedom of expression, and communicates through his playing that which words cannot.
“Freefall” is diverse in tempo and musical form. Some of the music sounds a bit like rock or funk, especially on the track “Diablo’s Dream”. Other tunes are more bluesy or mellow, melody-driven ballads.
The group communicates so well with each other in their performances, and Anderson’s playing is impressive and virtuosic. In the words of jazz bassist Gerald Veasley, Anderson “…has the ability to turn notes into poetry.”
By Michele Zipkin
Michele Zipkin is a Philadelphia-based music and general communications writer. She has written artist reviews, concert news, and currently does marketing for MilkBoy Recording.
“There’s really only one word to describe this guitar jazz album from Chuck & the rest of his trio (Eric Schreiber, bass; Ed Rick, drums) – EXCITING! That doesn’t mean that it’s all “jump”, or “near-rock”, either… you’ll find some absolutely sweet tunes in the 12 all-original pieces… try the truly laid-back “Song for Coreen” to hear what I mean… 4:06 gem, to be sure, with gentle strings that will lull you into mellow-land. On the other hand, if you DO want to jump a bit, try the opener, “Princess of the Nile”… great walkin’ bass line, and the drums are there in grand fashion to help the strut that Chuck leads your ears through.
This is great music, not just great jazz (though it certainly is that). The 4:34 title track, “Freefall”, has some beautiful interactions between all three players; I dug it in a big way, but being the uptown blues kinda’ cat I am, it was surely “Exit Blues” that captured my vote for favorite track… while it surely isn’t “gut-funk”, it will make you taste what the aftermath of the blues is – pure JOY!. I give this fine jazz CD my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. G
Dick Metcalf
ZZAJ Productions
“Chuck Anderson just concentrates on one thing—playing straight ahead Jazz. There is a lot of nimble technique in his playing which shows well both on springy pieces like “Princess Of The Nile” and mellow Blues tracks like “Misty Glow” and “Exit Blues.”
On “Enchanted Garden” Anderson shifts into a reflective country-soul mood and on “Diablo’s Dream” he even works over a funk/hip-hop beat with buzzing, coiled toughness. His rhythm partners, Schreiber and Rick, are always in close support and Anderson emerges on this as a talented modern Jazz guitarist as fluid as a Scofield or Abercrombie.”
Cadence, Jerome Wilson
“Nice moments here, like the opening modal number ‘Princess of the Nile’ and the relaxed ‘In a Misty Glow,’ which has Anderson alternately double-timing furiously and laying into the luxurious tempo. The group swings with gusto on ‘Flight,’ the dynamic title track and the closer, ‘Diablo’s Dream,’ which gives bassist Eric Schreiber and drummer Ed Rick room to stretch. Anderson also showcases his considerable chord-melody skills on two gorgeous, unaccompanied ballads, ‘Song for Coreen’ and ‘Chanson.’”
Links to articles and concert reviews
Chuck Anderson: Guitar Reemergence
by Victor L. Schermer
New Hope Winery Concert Review
by Victor L. Schermer
Philadelphia City Paper Article
by A.D. Amorosi
Just Jazz Guitar Interview – Philadelpia Ace: Chuck Anderson PDF Download
by Ed Benson