LIVE: Savion Glover & Jack DeJohnette @ The Egg, 12/28/13

Photographs by Andrzej Pilarczyk

It was a dynamic duel – all drumsticks and dance moves as the world’s greatest tap dancer faced off against the jazz world’s master drummer. It was like an epic poem – explosive, expanding, simply exquisite.

There was plenty more to see and hear throughout the concert. Savion Glover – who celebrated his 40th birthday the month prior – brought along Marshall Davis, Jr., the 1991 Star Search Teen Dance champion. And 71-year-old Jack DeJohnette brought along his top-notch band, featuring clarinetist Don Byron, pianist George Colligan and bassist Jerome Harris. There was some great music. There was some amazing, fluid dancing, full of style and grace. Dejohnette even slipped out from behind his drum kit to show off a bit of his own fancy footwork.

But when Glover and DeJohnette squared off mano-a-mano, it was nothing short of a master class in rhythm – fiery, focused, unforgettable.

SECOND OPINIONS:
Rudy Lu’s photographs at Albany Jazz
Tresca Weinstein’s review at The Times Union