Reviews > Shows

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, La Sala Rossa, Montreal, QC., 10/6/09

After wrapping up a run of shows opening for Mike Gordon in Burlington, VT., the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey traveled North of the border to perform in the upstairs concert hall of Montreal’s La Sala Rossa. While some bands might have thrown it in for a crowd that was sparse at best, the band utilized the intimate setting as an opportunity to generously treat the fans in attendance.

Following a “Good Night Ollie” opener, a whimsical tune about keyboardist Brian Haas trying to put his nephew to sleep, Jacob Fred focused primarily on tracks from its latest One Day In Brooklyn. The Middle-Eastern tinged “Imam” showcased the versatility of Chris Comb’s slide guitar and exposed the audience to the wide range of genres that the band blends. From the onset, each element of the quartet stood out clearly as part of a cohesive unit.

Known for covering jazz compositions, the band next took a stab at Thelonious Monk’s “Four in One.” Without the horns that often accompany this classic number, Jacob Fred instead applied sharp, high notes of the lap slide guitar, tinkering with volume and tone.

The slightly avant-garde jazz/country-fusion track “Country Girl”—provided a wild blend of influences—followed by an energetic peak with the new (and unrecorded) Combs song, “Stay Gold.” As a progressive display of guitar riffs melted away and a strong focus was put on Haas’ keyboard work, the song gradually escalated in tempo while periodically referring back to its principle motif. The shimmering yet defined sound of Raymer’s drum kit kept the band anchored.

As an all-instrumental outfit, Jacob Fred compositions can still speak volumes. The new upbeat song, “Trampoline Phoenix,” was described by Haas as being written about “the benefits of fun.” What sounded like a deconstruction of electronic jam music repackaged into a jazzy ensemble, developed into an extended mid-range keyboard solo for Haas. This gave way for the animated Hayes to pluck at his upright bass and work with the song’s bubbly texture. “The Sensation of Sing Light,” a song about personal evolution, developed just as one might expect given the song title. Leading with a false start, the music gradually progressed, adopting new elements and undertones until morphing into a full-fledged jam.

After encoring with “Drethoven,” a classical/hip-hop blend off One Day In Brooklyn influenced by the music of both Dr. Dre and Beethoven, Haas graciously concluded by expressing the band’s appreciation for the audience, thanking them for “their ears” and pledging to return to Montreal in the near future.