The Kenny Barron Trio get Ronnie’s swinging at EFG London Jazz Festival
Tom Spargo
Monday, November 18, 2024
The octogenarian pianist proves yet again that he is one of the finest jazz pianists on the planet
For a very long time, audiences have been unanimous in their praise for Kenny Barron’s unique lyrical abilities and masterful touch. Taking centre stage at the newly refurbished Ronnie’s for the opening night of the 2024 EFG London Jazz Festival, the veteran pianist proved yet again that he is more than worthy of such high praise.
He was joined here by drummer Jonathan Blake and bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa, two long-time associates with wonderfully complementary styles. Blake is a highly intuitive drummer, and his lightness of touch and rhythmic sensitivity shone through during the slower tempo ballads. However, few can match him for sheer power and ferocity when he shifts gear into a full-throttle drum solo. Kitagawa’s walking lines were flawless, and his solos were agile and intelligent.
The evening’s repertoire was mostly taken from Barron’s 2016 Book of Intuition, a trio album on Impulse! which had also featured Blake and Kitagawa. The original composition ‘Cook’s Bay’ was the highlight of the evening; inspired by a particularly memorable sunrise that Barron watched over Moorea Island during his 40th wedding anniversary trip to Tahiti, the track is evocative, colourful, and emotionally resonant. On Bud Powell’s ‘Bud Like’, Barron impressed with his ability to combine a driving chromatic left hand with a darting melodic right. Thelonious Monk’s ‘Shuffle Boil’ was a great addition to the setlist, a moment of blues-infused fun and eccentricity that enhanced the flowing melodicism of the evening. Beyond the Book of Intuition repertoire, Barron also played a couple of standards including a charismatic rendition of ‘Love for Sale’ and a stripped-back interpretation of ‘The Very Thought of You’.
Barron may now be in his 80s, but he is still crafting jazz of the absolute highest quality. Simply a fantastic way to kick off the 2024 London Jazz Festival.
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See more EFG London Jazz Festival gigs at Ronnie Scott’s this week by visiting efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk
