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Wayne Henderson's Jazz Crusaders at Ronnie Scott's, London W1
The Times by Clive Davis
January 20, 2009
Long before the term “fusion” came into vogue, the trombonist Wayne Henderson and his colleagues in the first incarnation of the Jazz Crusaders were finding inventive ways of blending the discipline of bop with the earthier rhythms of blues and funk. By the mid-Seventies, before the group - then trading as the Crusaders - hit its commercial peak alongside Randy Crawford on the disco-era anthem Street Life, Henderson had bailed out to pursue his interests as a producer.
It is good to see him back, even if one or two fans may have gone down to Soho in the mistaken belief that they might catch a glimpse of those old troupers Wilton Felder and Joe Sample. What they got was an efficient but slightly anonymous sextet that hit its stride whenever it abandoned the competent but overextended improvising for crisp, soulful riffs that evoked memories of the best of the recordings made 30-odd years ago.
A portly figure draped in an ostentatious leopard-skin apron and cap, Henderson took pains to ration his playing, allowing the saxophonist Paul Russo to take the bulk of the solo duties. Which was a pity, because Henderson's horn still has a swagger about it, while Russo's prolix style lacked the easy melodic grace that we always associated with Felder. Still, the guitarist Brian Price had something of Larry Carlton's laconic touch, and the drummer Moyes Lucas struck a fine balance between energy and subtlety. Henderson's attempt to reinvent himself as a rapper was mildly toe-curling, but at least it only amounted to a brief interlude.
Of the vintage tunes, Keep That Same Old Feeling gave the audience a chance to indulge in some call-and-response singing, Henderson directing proceedings with an avuncular twinkle. Although Eleanor Rigby - a long-time favourite of the earlier version of the band - prompted some nimble playing from the virtuoso bass guitarist David Hughes, the piece soon outstayed its welcome. Fortunately, Henderson's team had regained its balance by the end of the evening, returning to the glory days on the laid-back theme of Way Back Home.
The Jazz Crusaders featuring Wayne Henderson, Ronnie Scott’s, London
Financial Times By Mike Hobart
Published: January 19 2009 23:28 | Last updated: January 19 2009 23:28
The Jazz Crusaders, of which trombonist Wayne Henderson was a founder member, formed in 1961 and specialised in a stripped-down, tightly arranged and eminently soulful acoustic modern jazz. In 1971 they shortened their name to The Crusaders and re-launched as a classy jazz-funk act. Though he left in 1975, it is the latter incarnation that Henderson’s current touring band references both in repertoire and presentation. wLike the original, behind the showtime chat and funky beats there is a high quotient of gritty improvisation and group interplay.
WAYNE HENDERSON, at Ronnie Scott's, 15-1-09.
Rhythmic musings: Wayne Henderson
Henderson’s introduction was pure soul-cheese. A finely crafted rhythm-section overture zipped from scrubby fanfare through back-alley blues to cruise-control funk before he appeared sporting a leopard-skin apron – he later explained that “after flying in from LA [he] was dyin’ to do some cookin’ ”. A quick flam, and bassist David Hughes was laying down the insistent riff of “Stomp and Buck Dance”. Henderson was born in Houston in 1939, and the theme had all the grit of a Texas blues. It was a perfect launch for a jazz workout in which climactic solos alternated with spacious duets and tense textures released to smoky swirls.
A relaxed, medium-tempo “Scratch” and an elongated “Eleanor Rigby” followed a similar pattern. Paul Russo on tenor and soprano sax rampaged through funky licks, devious harmonic trails and screeches – a perfect foil for Henderson’s inquisitive trombone musings and rhythmic stabs. And there was lots going on in the rhythm section as keyboardist Joel Gaines and Brian Price on guitar swapped roles, thickened textures and traded lean rhythms.
More textural variety came from Henderson showcasing his elegant trombone with a supple duet with drummer Moyes Lucas, an unaccompanied solo leaping out of the blue from acoustic piano and elegiac bass guitar as intro to “Eleanor Rigby”. “Keep On, Keep That Same Old Feeling” had a singalong intro – a few problems coming in on the right beat for some of the audience – while “Always There” tipped the gig further into club territory, though there was still room for a twisty sax/trombone duet and a go-through-the-moves drum solo. It was uplifting stuff that demanded and got an encore.