Five years ago this month, the jazz trio of John Hyde, Rick Husband, and Dale Graham performed their first show together. To mark this milestone, Indigo Jazz presents Five Years On… at the Zocalo Café on Friday Dec. 4.
Dusting off the playlist from 2010, Dale discovered some real gems. The coolest funk version of Who Will Buy featured John laying down an off-kilter bass ostinato for Rick to riff over. Not one but two Brazilian numbers, neither by Jobim. And the nicely uptempo Better Days Ahead, with guitar and voice delivering awesome harmonies, is simply the most joyful Pat Metheny tune going.
Indigo Jazz followers have come to expect strong melodies, elegantly delivered. It’s easy to see that has been there from the outset. The time is right to reprise that original concert setlist, and celebrate the playing of these fine musicians.
John Hyde’s acoustic bass is the energetic cool pulse behind and in front of the group’s sound.
Rick Husband’s guitar holds the centre with a big warm sound and a fine balance of rhythmic and harmonic information.
Dale Graham’s vocals are direct and accessible. She swings, she plays the angles on rhythm and melody, and she never loses sight of a song’s heart.
This combo has a sweet rapport that gives their music a conversational quality and truly engages the listener. They explore the meeting places between the human voice and instruments, with vocals that at times evoke a playful saxophone or a sassy trumpet, and instrumental lines that tell a story just as a singer might do.
If you love fine melodies and rhythmic nuance, this group plays your kind of music. Come celebrate Five Years On with Indigo Jazz, on Friday, Dec. 4 at Zocalo Café. Music starts at 7 p.m., admission is by donation and drop-ins are welcome throughout the show.