# Timeless New York tribute as all-star line-up gathers in celebration of John Abercrombie: Video

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2018/03/30/timeless-new-york-tribute-as-all-star-line-up-gathers-in-celebration-of-john-abercrombie/
- Published: 2018-03-30T09:54:28+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**ECM Records chose experimental arts venue Roulette, in Brooklyn, to host a musical
tribute to the memory of John Abercrombie, the great guitarist having died in August
2017. **

The label had gathered together an astounding collection of guest artists (collaborators
and friends) to reinterpret his music under the banner **Timeless: A Tribute To 
His Life And Music**. Ralph Towner was beset by an acute ear infection in Rome, 
but everyone else was confirmed, and already in the house. **Nate Chinen** of NPR(
National Public Radio) acted as MC, weaving in reminiscences and direct quotes from
the guitarist’s admirers, introducing a continuing two-hour-and-more sequence of
small group combinations. Unsurprisingly, Roulette was at full capacity, with a 
queue stretching right along Atlantic Avenue.

![JATT-1351w-ScottFriedlander](https://i0.wp.com/jazzwisemagazine.com/images/MARCH2018/
JATT-1351w-ScottFriedlander.jpg?resize=640%2C512)

The first few numbers were very mellow and introverted, with **Bill Frisell** leading
the way, partnered by **Mark Feldman** (violin), **Thomas Morgan** (bass) and **
Joey Baron** (drums), for a set of delicate and expressionist moods. **Nels Cline**
was up next, in more reined-in mode, with **Peter Erskine** (drums) and **Marc Copland**(
piano) joining him, the latter doubling as the evening’s musical director. The night
was building up a softly loungey quality, until **John Scofield** and Baron returned,
to play ‘Even Steven’, from 1984’s _Solar_, which Abercrombie called ‘the bebop 
album’. He was often dedicated to tranquil exploration, but also had his turbulent,
grooving side. Scofield used the blues as a base, but edged them with cowboy frills,
Baron broke out his power-hits. He had a big sound, even on the brushes, making 
tight exchanges with Scofield, the latter sticking around as saxophonist **Joe Lovano**,
bassist **Drew Gress** and drummer **Adam Nussbaum **entered. They played ‘Easy 
Reader’ and ‘Within A Song’, the combination of Lovano, Scofield and Nussbaum facilitating
a bombastic release. Hornmen **Dave Liebman** and **Randy Brecker** cooled down 
the proceedings, and then the show’s final run also returned to a calm state as 
Frisell came back to deliver a pair of tunes from 1975’s _Timeless_ album, ‘Ralph’s
Piano Waltz’ and its title number, two of Abercrombie’s best-known pieces.

**Jack DeJohnette** was an august presence, but his drumming was restrained and 
subtle, following the fiery flashes of Baron and Nussbaum. Also in the house were**
Evan Parker**, **Tim Berne** (not playing) and ECM founder **Manfred Eicher**. Besides
Abercrombie’s undoubted significance as a jazz guitarist, time and again, his old
friends alluded to his charming, yet slightly spiky, sense of humour, his generosity,
and his self-deprecating wisdom. This was a man who was warmly loved by all of his
peers, disciples and students. All proceeds from the concert went to a new scholarship
in Abercrombie’s name, and contributions are still being gratefully received.

![JATT-1057w-ScottFriedlander](https://i0.wp.com/jazzwisemagazine.com/images/MARCH2018/
JATT-1057w-ScottFriedlander.jpg?w=640)

**– Martin Longley; http://jazzwisemagazine.com
 – Photos by Scott Friedlander

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