Music is Deeper than Philosophy

By: Cazoshay Ward - University of Alaska Anchorage

In the words of Dr. Cornel West, music is deeper than philosophy, because language falls short in truly expressing the depth of life’s experiences. However through sounds, notes and even the silences, music gets at the deeper truths of what we are. These words, paraphrased in this review, were played during Terence Blanchard’s performance at the Atwood Concert Hall on the evening of March 12, 2011. After experiencing both Marsalis’ and Blanchard’s presentations, it is clear that Dr. West’s words ring true.

It was hard to believe that Marsalis and his group of musicians (Joseph Calderazzo on the piano, Eric Revis on bass, and Justin Faulkner on drums) had been rehearsing most of the songs for only a few weeks. It was a little preview of material that will be included on the new album coming out in July. The material was so new in fact, that the first two songs don’t even have names yet. To say that the performance was both spirited and seamless would be an understatement. Like true jazz bands should be, the group performed each instrument in perfect harmony while maintaining the individuality and strength of both the musicians and the instruments. The pianist (Calderazzo) was literally jumping out of his seat as he played, matched by the enthusiasm of Faulkner on the drums.

Blanchard and his group did not disappoint either. As stated earlier, Blanchard mixed spoken word (by Dr. Cornel West) in with his performance, adding to the depth and experience of the presentation. Not only did Blanchard and his band speak to our souls through music, but they spoke to our minds through the spoken word. Blanchard, who is the Artistic Director of the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz, is a fan of Dr. West, and was the first person who came to mind when he first thought of the spoken word idea.

Accompanying Blanchard that evening was Kendrick Scott on drums (he also has his own group, “Oracle,” as well as a record label), Fabian Alamazan (originally from Cuba) on the piano, Brice Winston on tenor sax, and Joshua Crumbly on bass. It should be noted that the bass player, Crumbly, is only nineteen years of age. He attends Julliard and was definitely able to hold his own with jazz legend Blanchard. It was Blanchard’s birthday on the 12th, Marsalis and the rest of the musicians surprised him with a cake and a jazz rendition of “Happy Birthday,” which was a nice surprise and allowed the audience to share a little in the experience of celebrating a milestone in the life of a true jazz legend.

Marsalis shared with the audience that they nearly didn’t make it up here for the performance, almost missing the only connecting flight that would get them to Anchorage in time for the concert. The performance was intense, emotional, soft, and eloquent all at the same time. It took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster with notes and sounds. Needless to say, we are glad they made it.

Branford Marsalis & Terence Blanchard
Anchorage Concert Association
Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 8pm
Atwood Concert Hall