Harp Column Blogs: Brandee YoungerArchive

Photo links from the Detroit Jazz Festival, 2008

Fest Photos--Ben Johnson

Fest Photos--Frank Harrell

View a Few Photos Here

I'm beginning this blog at the airport in Detroit...it's 4am. I'm tired, but I can't fall asleep sitting here with my purse in my hand.  Yesterday was Ravi Coltrane's musical tribute to Alice Coltrane with Geri Allen, Charlie Haden & Jack Dejohnette along with Ed Feldman on the tamboura and tablas.

I'll skip right to show day--We had a brief rehearsal the morning of that started off with---of all things---a drum lesson by Jack Dejohnette!   Before everyone arrived, he came in after a long morning of commuting, tuned up his drums, and showed me how to get going on the cymbal and hi-hat.  Once I got the hang, he sat and played a blues on piano (yes---Jack Dejohnette is an amazing piano player, as well), along with Ed Feldman, playing the tablas.  What a way to begin the morning!

I had the opportunity to play the new Salvi Echo Electroacoustic for this festival, and am especially grateful to Alexandra Perdew at Salvi Harps Inc.  I usually perform on an amplified acoustic harp, and on our way to Detroit, I mentioned to Ravi Coltrane that I would be playing on an electric harp and he gave me this look of confusion (notice that I waited until we were on our way to mention it).  He is used to hearing the sound of his mother's beautiful Style 11, so to have that natural sound is extremely important to him, especially playing her compositions.   Additionally, I'm generally a purist and tend to lean away from the sound of electric harps.   I've tried a few different kinds, but they have more of a guitar-like sound.  This harp had the most rich, natural tone both acoustic and amplified.  The sound techs were amazed at the warmness of the sound.  I think it made their job a heck of a lot easier, as they didn't have to go through the normal routine of running back and forth with mics to achieve the sound I like.  While playing, I preferred the bass notes to be turned up a bit.  I'm a very aggressive player, so turning the bass up allowed me to use less pull and get the same effect.  Also, if there's someone that's more particular about sound than Ravi, it's Charlie Haden, who during rehearsal, came over to check the harp out after hearing it.  I was already having a ball on my own, but with the Coltrane-Haden Sound stamp of approval, I knew our goal was achieved with this instrument.

We arrived at the venue, line checked, and started the show.  The group opened with 'Translinear Light', from Alice Coltrane's last released album by the same title.  I admit, I sat there and watched & listened.  Geri Allen played the intro and once the opening theme came--with just sax & piano--I couldn't help but sit and watch and listen. I was taken.  They were on fire!  I didn't pick the harp up until the 2nd selection.

We played a program of Alice Coltrane works with the exception of "For Turiya" which was composed by Charlie Haden.   He recorded it with her on harp in the 70's on his album of duets entitled "Closeness".   We closed with "Journey in Satchidananda" and after an encore request, played "Universe", which ended up being the most emotional selection of the evening. The piece is slow, expressive, and set to verse in Hindu.  It was the perfect closer because the thousands of people at this beautiful outdoor concert sat there in silence as this music washed over them.  Then it all became clear to me at this point that this was home.  Sharing Alice Coltrane's music in her hometown of Detroit, with so many of her devoted followers, fans, admirers, friends and her immediate family, along with the powerhouse rhythm section with whom she recorded her last release (Charlie Haden & Jack Dejohnette),  Detroits' Geri Allen on piano and her son Ravi, was...I have not yet found the words.
   
Overall, everything was fantastic!  Pat Terry-Ross came.  As well, Ann Hobson-Pilot and Edmar Casteneda came to see the same exact group when we played in NYC in June.   It's always a great feeling to look up and see some of your own that understand your pedals  ;-)

I didn't have the opportunity to take photos, but I will post as I hunt them down.