Live: Jon Elbaz @ Lark Street Tavern, 05/17/2022

Up and coming NYC pianist Jon Elbaz performed 2 sets of music as part of the Tuesday night jazz series at the Lark Street Tavern.  His word-of-mouth reputation as a talented, groundbreaking pianist preceded him, and he certainly lived up to it. His playing, and his ability to incorporate many styles of jazz into his music, exceeded his youth.

The opening number was “Hallucinations”, a composition by bebop pianist extraordinaire Bud Powell. This was unmistakably bebop with its fast tempo, complex chord structures, and occasional references to melody. Elbaz played the chords and runs at breakneck speed, with the rhythm of Jason Emmond and Joe Barna ably keeping pace.

The next number was truly an unusual selection, considering the bebop that preceded it – Chick Corea’s ethereal composition “Windows”. Elbaz had his own unique take on this. His interpretation included power chords in the style of McCoy Tyner, but with his own voicings that could be described as “power from space”.

Wayne Shorter’s compositions also figured prominently in the performance. Ranging from the ballad “House of Jade”, to “Speak No Evil” which (as always) sounded evil, with Elbaz putting power into it.

The Cole Porter composition “Just One Of Those Things” featured Elbaz’s command of the ragtime and stride styles of the early days of jazz.

The 2nd set was short for the original trio, with musicians outside the band sitting in. Featured were young jazz drummer Matt Niedbalski, Family Tree drummer/singer/songwriter Steve Candlen, and guitarist Liam Davis. Closing was the uptempo funk tune made famous by Jaco Pastorius, “The Chicken”.

Stay tuned for more jazz at the Lark Street Tavern, with Joe Barna’s Sketches of Influence CD Release Party on May 19, and (coming down from the Northern reaches of Nippertown) the Matt Niedbalski Trio on May 21.

Photo Gallery by Rudy Lu