Roy Hargrove Quintet – live in Paris – October 11, 2016 – Radio France Musique.
Roy Hargrove this weekend. Along with Justin Robinson on alto, Sullivan Fortner on piano, Aleen Saleem, bass and Quincey Phllips, drums recorded at the New Morning in Paris on October 10, 2016 and broadcast by Radio France Musique.
I admit coming to the music of Roy Hargrove late. Sometimes you get distracted or inundated with new music and new artists and you set some aside with the firm conviction you’ll check them out as soon as you can.
Sadly, by the time I got around to it I learned the sad and baffling news that Roy Hargrove was no longer with us, having left the Earth plane at 49, with a brilliant career so much ahead of him. But even at 49 he accomplished a lot, and became an example and leading light for many musicians across many genres. He has left his mark; one that will stick around for a long time to come.
Listening to this Paris gig I was struck by just how cohesive the ensemble playing is – the flow that took place. There’s a lot to jump into here and everyone is in top form.
I think many Jazz aficionados have worried about the future of Jazz – that once the old practitioners have gone Jazz will go too. But that’s not the case – even though Roy Hargrove was with us a comparatively short time, he paved the way for much new talent to follow in his footsteps. The Art Form ain’t dead – hasn’t even been asleep – the new voices are all around and they are bringing new points of view with them. We still get to be the cheering section.
Still, you wonder what Roy Hargrove would have been up to, had he been blessed with good working Kidneys – but you can go insane pondering the what-ifs. Suffice to say Roy Hargrove laid out the road map and passed out the invitations to join in – and let everyone know Jazz is still in good hands and still has a future. A bright one.
Dive in and enjoy.
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