I decided to drive up from DC to Philadelphia for the "Celebrating Cecil Taylor" show, sponsored jointly by Ars Nova and Painted Bride. As a celebration it was a bit odd: no documentary clips, no interviews, no benediction from the Master, etc.
As a marketing strategy, it was prescient: Painted Bride was sold out.
What there was, though, was a group of Cecil alumni - Andrew Cyrille, Henry Grimes, William Parker, Bobby Zankel--who put on a killer concert. Yes, include Dave Burrell too, not exactly a Cecil alum, more of a makeshift Cecil in place of actual Cecil. They played hard, and they played long, a little over 2 hours with a short intermission. Zankel, whom I've not seen before, sounded inspired--or maybe he always plays like this- but he played his ass off. Cyrille had a masterful 10 minute solo. Grimes sounded like back in the day. Parker added thunder to Grimes bass, creating a deep pulse throughout the evening. And Burrell played free and fast yet without coming off like a Cecil clone. He's got his own thing.
It was an exciting evening. Still a little groggy from I-95, cheesesteaks, great music, and a late night return, but ---worth it.
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