Veterans, newcomers combine for an enjoyable jazz experience

By Joseph Rothstein
Special to the Advertiser

Last night's opening concert of the 10th annual Honolulu International Jazz Festival at Blaisdell Concert Hall brought together jazz legends and fresh faces in a satisfying mix of styles. The show featured two internationally renowned visitors from the Mainland and two of Hawai'i's top jazz acts.

Guitarist Larry Coryell, the first half's headliner, has had a low profile throughout his career, though he has been an inspiration to the jazz elite for more than 30 years.Ê His ground-breaking work in the late 1960s and 1970s laid the foundation for the "fusion" movement that bridged the worlds of rock and jazz.

However, as if in defiance of his rep as the "father of fusion," his set emphasized ballads and bebop. Accompanied by bass and drums, he opened on electric guitar with blazing versions of Milt Jackson's "Bags Groove," followed by the Thelonious Monk bebop standard, "Trinkle, Trinkle."

On Duke Ellington's beautiful "In a Sentimental Mood," Coryell's playing turned achingly beautiful — elegant and understated.

Those who came to hear the style Coryell made famous weren't disappointed, as his own composition, "Spaces Revisited," written for drummer Billy Cobham, provided opportunities for fiery solos and rock-like power chords.

Local favorite Noel Okimoto ably took Cobham's place at the drums, providing powerful riffs and fills.

Coryell closed with two selections on acoustic guitar, a haunting solo version of the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home" and an gorgeous, lush arrangement of "Theme from 'Black Orpheus' " in which he was joined once again by Okimoto and bassist John Kolivas.

The Honolulu Jazz Quartet — bassist and leader John Kolivas, pianist Dan Del Negro, drummer Adam Baron and tenor saxophonist Tim Tsukiyama — opened the evening.

Vocalist Keahi Conjugacion joined the Quartet for an uptempo version of the Gershwin classic, "Summertime," belting out lyrics in Swahili as well as English.Ê Conjugacion performed a similarly quirky version of Andy Cummings' "Waikiki," turning the nostalgic ballad into a pointed commentary on the modern tourist playground.

After intermission, local legend Gabe Baltazar joined Okimoto, Del Negro and Kolivas for a brief set that included his debut as a vocalist, with a hilarious pidgin version of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love."Ê

Gabe was so obviously enjoying himself that he soon had the audience laughing and cheering. But as soon as he started to play, jaws dropped and hearts swooned, whether he played his alto sax or clarinet.Ê

The evening closed with a set by the University of Southern California Thornton Jazz Orchestra and vocalist Tierney Sutton, head of the USC jazz vocal department.Ê The students, who range from freshmen to seasoned professional musicians, handled arrangements originally written for the great singer Sarah Vaughan with ease.

Fronting a big band makes different demands on a singer than working with a more intimate ensemble, and Sutton demonstrated the power and presence to make it work. Whether on the uptempo "From This Moment On" or a ballad like "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face," Sutton displayed a keen ear for balance with the band and a comfort with delivering lyrics convincingly.

At his day gig, Joseph Rothstein is a certified financial planner.