One-of-a-kind Oregon at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley

One-of-a-kind Oregon at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley

by E. Joyce Glasgow - SGN A&E Writer Oregon Dimitriou's Jazz Alley April 22-23 The quartet Oregon is a one-of-a-kind phenomenon in the musical world. The group was formed over 35 years ago and includes three of its original members and a fourth, who has been with them for over 10 years. Their music is incredibly accomplished, tasteful, subtle, refined, sophisticated, rich, poignant, versatile and totally inspiring. I would compare listening to their music to closing your eyes and placing pastilles of the finest, purest dark chocolate, flavored with flowers, herbs and spices on your tongue and letting them melt slowly, revealing surprising, varietal hints of flavors and colors; a spicy cinnamon, a romantic rose, a zesty lavender, a wild peppermint, an exotic basil, all satisfying and luxurious. Oregon plays jazz that combines an eclectic group of musical forms organically into a whole. They are the only musicians I've heard who have done this so successfully. The compositions sometimes sound like chamber music, or world music, or can be funky and playful, or are reflective, or go out on a limb into completely improvised and unpredictable territory, then into intense, rhythmical jazz pieces, then into pieces that are hopeful, expansive and uplifting. The group's latest CD 1000 Kilometers received two Grammy nominations. Among their many previous albums, their recording with the Moscow Tchaikovsky Orchestra received four Grammy nominations. The Apollo astronauts took a recording of Oregon's music to the moon and named two lunar craters after their compositions, "Icarus" and "Ghost Beads." Paul McCandless contributes to the chamber quality of the music by his use of oboe and English horn, both instruments rarely heard in a jazz context. His soaring oboe lines bring to mind a majestic hawk, floating on the wind, commanding the sky with its outstretched wings. He is a master at improvising on not only the oboe and English horn but also on the lovely, deep bass clarinet, the sparkling and jazzy soprano and sopranino saxes, tenor saxophone, pennywhistle and other types of flutes. Ralph Towner, who composes many of the group's stunning and popular compositions, adeptly and beautifully plays and improvises on classical and jazz guitar, incorporating percussive elements as well as "frame" guitar (an electric synthesizer guitar), playful keyboards, and has an elegant, poetic approach to the piano. Towner lived in Seattle for a number of years and now lives in Italy. Glen Moore has a playful and dynamic approach to the acoustic bass and is one of the finest, most creative bass players around. He explores the colors, moods and rhythms of the bass in three-dimensional fullness, revealing the bass in all its glory. Moore plays a resonant, seasoned bass made in the 1700s as well as an electrified upright bass. Mark Walker is the newest member of the group. He is a sensitive, spot-on drummer and percussionist and brings a driving, jazzy, powerful rhythmic support to the group's compositions. Walker is a fine improviser and contributes creatively with his atmospheric and intelligent use of percussion instruments, including hand drums, drum synthesizer, bells and shakers. The group performed pieces from their new CD including "Deep Six" (Mark Walker's high-energy jazz tune, which received a Grammy nomination) and "1000 Kilometers," and other pieces including "The Glide," "If," "In Stride," "Re-Dial," "Toledo," "Pepe Linque," and "Hoe Down" (a bass and drums duet). They created a free improvisation piece each night and for their encore they played one of their signature and most beloved pieces, "Witchi-Tai-To," by the late Jim Pepper. Oregon received well deserved, resounding standing ovations both nights of full houses of very appreciative, dedicated fans at Jazz Alley. Every time I hear Oregon, they sound fresh and new, even after 35 years. It is because of the enjoyment, fun, revelry and excitement they obviously feel from improvising, exploring unknown musical territory, creating new material spontaneously in the moment and sharing artistic celebration in a magnificent musical conversation and collaboration amongst four talented musicians and friends. To find Oregon's new CD, 1000 Kilometers, visit www.CamJazz.com. For more information on upcoming events at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, visit www.jazzalley.com.