LA JAZZ SCENE
Jazz Around Town: Dmitri Matheny at Vitello's
By Scott Yanow
September 2014
A major flugelhornist, Dmitri Matheny was featured at Vitello’s leading a quartet comprised of three of Los Angeles’ top players: pianist Nick Manson, bassist Trevor Ware and drummer Dick Weller. Celebrating the release of his recent Sagebrush Rebellion CD, Matheny was in good humor and top form throughout an excellent set that mostly featured fresh versions of standards. Matheny, who considers Art Farmer to be his mentor, sometimes hinted at Farmer in his melodic and lyrical solos although he also displayed his own musical personality. Among the highpoints of the night were “It Could Happen To You,” an expressive version of “Stormy Weather,” “Cute” (which featured Weller), “Estate,” the uptempo “Sagebrush Rebellion,” “Caravan” and “My Kind Of Love.” Manson, who articulated every note so clearly even on the uptempo pieces, was featured with the trio on “Good Clean Fun.” Chuck Johnson sat in on tenor for two songs, moving the bop-based music a decade ahead on the minor-toned blues “One For Daddy-O.” Overall, it was a fun evening of boppish jazz.
By Scott Yanow
September 2014
A major flugelhornist, Dmitri Matheny was featured at Vitello’s leading a quartet comprised of three of Los Angeles’ top players: pianist Nick Manson, bassist Trevor Ware and drummer Dick Weller. Celebrating the release of his recent Sagebrush Rebellion CD, Matheny was in good humor and top form throughout an excellent set that mostly featured fresh versions of standards. Matheny, who considers Art Farmer to be his mentor, sometimes hinted at Farmer in his melodic and lyrical solos although he also displayed his own musical personality. Among the highpoints of the night were “It Could Happen To You,” an expressive version of “Stormy Weather,” “Cute” (which featured Weller), “Estate,” the uptempo “Sagebrush Rebellion,” “Caravan” and “My Kind Of Love.” Manson, who articulated every note so clearly even on the uptempo pieces, was featured with the trio on “Good Clean Fun.” Chuck Johnson sat in on tenor for two songs, moving the bop-based music a decade ahead on the minor-toned blues “One For Daddy-O.” Overall, it was a fun evening of boppish jazz.