Charlie Porter Jazz Quartet

A new venue for me, the Bronx Library Center, and sort of a new genre, jazz. I’m not a huge jazz aficionado, but I do like to broaden my horizons. This quartet—Charlie Porter, Trumpet | Adam Birnbaum, Piano | Scott Ritchie, Bass | Jon Wilkan, Drums—turned out to be just the type of jazz I like. Somewhat exploratory; somewhat traditional; not too frantic; not overbearing.

Compositions included a (not-yet-named) tribute to Thelonious Monk (Porter), “Morning Glory” (Duke Ellington), a Freddie Hubbard tune (transcribed, from listening to a record, by Mr. Porter), “Your Slightest Wish” (Robin Hood, né Russ Robinson, Mr. Porter’s girlfriend’s grandfather—are you still with me?), a couple more tunes, finishing with “It Don’t Mean a Thing … .” Yes, the audience was encouraged to “doo-wah, doo-wah, doo-wah,” etc.

I liked all of the playing. A lot of it was warm, not overpowering sound, and Mr. Porter was pretty natural and low key in his song introductions and explaining things to the audience like his buzz mute. It’s a combination of a cup mute and a kazoo (I’m not making this up, you know!). He held the stage when he needed to, yet ceded it to the others to make sure everyone had a spot in the limelight. I especially liked the Ellington piece since it had more of a “tune” than the first two pieces, which had a sort of through-composed, rambling quality that is probably the norm for some jazz compositions, but is not yet part of my jazz knowledge.

Going back to the first piece on the program, it and several others were being given their first performances. You’d never know it from the smooth give-and-take among the players. Once again, that could just be a hallmark of good jazz—and I’m pretty convinced that what I heard today was good jazz.

I have to include a shout out to the Bronx Library Center, the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series (a great program, in and of itself), and Target (as the corporate sponsor for the CHNC Series). A cold, snowy day; a trip to the Bronx; and warm (well, cool) jazz. Explore what’s out there, kiddos. I am.

ConcertMeister