The symbiotic relationship between music and dance can most assuredly date back to the inception of the two art forms. From folkloric dances to the dynamic duo of Stravinsky and Nijinsky, and the swing band era, there is a myriad of examples of the two art forms merging into one. Alto saxophonist legend Charles McPherson has added a triumphant work to this long-lasting tradition entitled Jazz Dance Suites! McPherson has been associated with the San Diego ballet since 2015 and this project is a result of this relationship, creating a body of work that overflows with artistic creativity. The album features trumpet virtuoso Terrell Stafford, Lorraine Castellanos on vocals, Jeb Patton and Randy Porter on piano, Yotem Silberstein on guitar, David Wong on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums.
Jazz Dance suites consist of the first eight tracks of the album, and McPherson draws inspiration from his daughter who is associated with the aforementioned dance company. McPherson, an artist rooted in the bebop tradition, who knows the history of jazz music orchestrates the project perfectly, not allowing extensive solo work but instead focusing on the music and dance relationship. Even if one were to not know the title of the songs or the album, I think he or she would be hard-pressed to avoid moving or dancing to this music. The movements were inspired by the biblical book Song of Solomon and it’s very hard to miss the spiritually that is enveloped in this music. “Love Dance” is the first selection we hear, and it is graced by the presence of Castellanos’ very mellow and lyrical voice. McPherson’s soulful playing is short and to the point, not wasting one note in the story he is telling. “Thinking of You” is another highlight from this suite that has an unforgettable melody, filled with love and joy which is sung through McPherson’s alto. The last work in this selection “The Gospel Truth” takes us back to church with a soulful melody that makes listeners start patting their feet and clapping. It’s got the blues imbued in it, a trademark of much of McPherson’s writing and playing, and it reaches down to the core of anyone listening!
Not to be disconnected from the times he is living in, McPherson’s ‘Reflection’ is his reaction to the 2016 election in the United States of America. It is a selection from his second ballet suite Reflection, Turmoil, and Hope and it has been adapted from the original orchestration of saxophone, violin, cello, and bass. Taking up the mantle of many composers such as Beethoven, Shostakovich, Duke Ellington, and Charles Mingus, McPherson brilliantly voices his opinion with no words needing to be spoken.
The last tracks on the album come together to form ‘Synergy Suite’, which is the first suite he composed for the San Diego Ballet. The work is a mixture of jazz and Afro-Latin influences, which have come together to form this masterpiece. “Marionette” is a rhythmically quirky blues that shows the melding of these two worlds best, in my opinion, as it switches from a straight-eight groove to swing and back to Latin for the duration of the tune. “Song of the Sphinx” sounds like something from Art Blakey and the jazz messengers, so much so that the melody, the soloing, and the larger than life finale all seem to have that Blakey-ness to it! The last piece in the suite “Tropic of Capricorn” definitely is a tune one cannot help but dance to and aptly represents the synergistic relationship between dance and music which permeates this entire album.
McPherson has demonstrated the knowledge and experience he has gained with a career that has spanned over sixty years. The rapport between the ensemble is perfect, and the playing is second to none. The most fascinating thing is that McPherson has kept all these selections short to take into account the collaboration with dance. It is a real treat to see an artist such as McPherson taking into account the scope of the entire artistic picture, and I wish Mr. McPherson many more years of health and creativity, which I think we will all be grateful for.
For more info visit https://charlesmcpherson.com/
Photo credits Tariq Johnson (main) and Tina Krohn
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Great article. It’s great to see the cross over of art disciplines. More should be made of this.
Dance can be applied to so so so many things. It’s undervalued as an art form but this article sheds much needed light on it. Thanks guys.
Dance can be applied to so so so many things. It’s undervalued as an art form but this article sheds much needed light on it. Thanks guys. Great column and magazine
Thanks so very much Johnathan for the kind words and astute observations about the project.