25 October 2023 (gig)
29 October 2023
One of the biggest coups of this year’s Milano JazzMi Festival, is getting Marcus Miller, the renowned bass player, producer, Grammy award winning songwriter to play. It’s no Milan jazz club but the rather biggish concert hall come discotheque that is the Alcatraz, hosting Marcus and his band. That said, a lot of guys and gals have come out on this warm if rather wet autumn midweek evening and that means a big crowd is in for the ride: Jazz enthusiasts; "Miles Davis” fans thanks to the close connection of the trumpet playing legend with MM; bass players for sure, especially fans of the signature jazz fender MM bass that was/is so popular( Marcus now plays a Sire bass mind you ); soul/ funk aficionados; there is room for everyone.
Indeed, Marcus Miller’s resume is quite astounding, thanks to his musical prowess and ability, his leadership values able to push boundaries and foresee musical changes which meant he was and indeed is, always riding the wave.
A five peice band take to the stage and to immediate rapturous applause. Marcus looking spectacular for his 64 years in black T-shirt and ripped jeans, avec trademark black hat, Anwar Marshall on drums, Donald Hayes on sax, Xavier Gordon on keyboards and Russell Gunn on trumpet. No guitar player and it’s refreshing to be honest to hear the rhythm section ( and such a damn good one) properly, the horn section playing in unison but also being allowed to let rip as might suit the song and the mood. A simple black backdrop with changing lights and most importantly, the 100% live music emanating from the stage is the spectacle tonight.
The setlist is made up of some of Marcus’s solo album tracks and collaborations with Miles. No vocals, so no early eighties soul songs but it is part of a jazz festival after all.
Marcus Miller is an astounding bass player. Able to create sounds and textures from his plain 4 string that are both delightful yet challenging, pulsating and delicate, as he nods and leads the band helping to guide each of the musicians so they can then explore their instruments and talents. Let me just say that Xavier Gordon was amazing with his silky melodic keyboard runs and grooves, so majestic and graceful in their intricacies.
It’s nearly a 2-hour set but time flies as the ebb and flow of the band becomes ever the more compelling. Highlights are a super funky ‘Detroit’, ‘Mr Pastorious’ dedicated to Jaco, ‘Tutu’ so full of energy with its attention to details; a solid attempt to encompass everything Miles Davis brought to the table, and a heartfelt ‘Gorée’ from 2012’s ‘Renaissance’ album which is in itself an ode to the horrors and trials of human slavery and which tonight was dedicated to peace amongst mankind.
A lot of smiling faces at the end as we took to the rainy streets. No merchandise on sale I might add. It was all about the music, as indeed it should be.
