Show Review: NCPA Legends with The Legendary Trio

Lenny White, Cyrus Chestnut and Buster Williams honored jazz legends in Mumbai at the Tata Theatre on July 20 (From delegated right) Cyrus Chestnut, Buster Williams and Lenny White at NCPA Legends with the Legendary Trio on their India launching at Tata Theatre, NCPA in Mumbai, on July 20, 2024. Picture: Narendra Dangiya/NCPA The longer I hear jazz, specifically that played by American bands, the more I see this music not simply as an art kind however rather as a culture. This culture is deep rooted in a great custom of more than a century. The ‘legends’ of jazz have actually been the folks who have actually laid the structure for the development of this culture and the NCPA paid high homage to these structures of jazz by welcoming a renowned trio of jazz artists from the U.S. to play in their yearly “Legends” performance. The piano, bass (acoustic, upright) and drums trio of Cyrus Chestnut, Buster Williams and Lenny White played a night of standard, traditional jazz to a jam-packed Tata Theatre on July 20, 2024. This is not a trio that generally plays together however each is a master of his craft and the trio represented the essence of jazz culture from its long custom. The opening piece, made up by the bassist Buster Williams was “Torpedo,” followed by a classical piece from Chopin, artistically analyzed on the piano, with apologies for the perfectionists! “Dedication” penned by the outstanding percussionist Lenny White followed. It was a delicate, reflective ballad provided its due by the trio with lyrical piano playing from Cyrus Chestnut. Lenny White, Cyrus Chestnut and Buster Williams at Tata Theatre, NCPA in Mumbai. Picture: Narendra Dangiya/NCPA Miles Davis’ structure, “Nardis” made popular by pianist Bill Evans, was the next discussion with subtle treatment on the modifications from each member of the band. It was played uptempo and Chestnut captivated the audience with a long solo. The 2nd set started with the popular requirement “It Could Happen To You,” followed by a Cyrus Chestnut structure “Shanti”– he called it a surprise bundle, however no description was offered the context of this number. It is certainly difficult to go through a jazz performance without a minimum of among Duke Ellington’s structures played. Simply when it appeared that tonight may be an exception, the band introduced into Duke’s well-known “Sophisticated Lady” after a teasing intro from the lines of “If A Picture”. To us, this offering was the emphasize of the night’s efficiency. To include an additional measurement to this performance, the opening lines of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” were played as the advanced girl bid us so long. The last discussion of the night was the small blues hardbop structure “Minority” composed by the alto saxophonist Gigi Gryce. While the trio of Cyrus Chestnut, Buster Williams and Lenny White are jazz artists of high pedigree, they are not a trio that plays together as a band, and it was felt sometimes as if the 3 people did not integrate as one band. Numerous jazz legends were honored throughout this performance: the authors of the music played, the fantastic artists with whom each of the trio has actually been associated and, of course, the trio of Cyrus Chestnut, Buster Williams and Lenny White. It would be good to have them back.

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