Saxophonist and composer Charles McPherson closed out a successful run of shows with a sold-out performance at Smoke Jazz Club in Harlem on Mar. 8. The 86-year-old saxophonist who worked with jazz giants like Charles Mingus was joined by trombonist Steve Davis, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Kenny Washington for an evening of soulful swing that reflected upon relationships, New York City, and the political landscape of the last decade.
Charles McPherson has made his mark on the jazz community over his six-decade long career – releasing a plethora of successful solo albums and appearing on landmark recordings by Charles Mingus and Barry Harris. In his 80s, McPherson hasn’t lost any of the speed, power, or feeling in his playing, as he expressively moved through the harmony of each tune with a unique sense of grace that could only be acquired through decades of exploration. “What a nice, smart, beautiful audience,” McPherson said to the crowd in the Harlem nightclub as he took to the stage “a little early,” setting the tone for the night with good humor that would continue as he interjected in between songs. McPherson nodded to the fairer weather with a rendition of the standard “Spring is Here,” before launching into his own compositions. He mused on the penning of “Manhattan Nocturne,” telling the audience how he “wrote this in San Diego but was thinking of New York at 4 in the morning.” “Even the crooks are asleep,” he recalled.
He then lamented on a tune from 2016 that he warned was “a little bit darker,” called “Reflections on the Election.” “We better brighten the mood up,” he told the audience before the evening’s final tune, “Horizons.” At the end of the night, he thanked the crowd, which included famed singer Samara Joy. “It’s a pleasure to still be able to play and be a part of the music,” McPherson told the audience, kicking off a killer weekend of fair weather shows ahead of an exciting Spring season at Smoke Jazz club that will include performances by Cyrus Chestnut, George Cables, Wayne Escoffery, Kendrick Scott, and more.
You can livestream select performances and many shows are recorded and released on Smoke’s record label. Find out more information and score tickets to upcoming events at smokejazz.com.