Stanley Jordan Plays Jimi - Highlights
Stanley Jordan is a true original. He’s a Princeton graduate who, according to his website, “studied theory and composition with composer Milton Babbitt and computer music with composer Paul Lansky. While still at Princeton, Jordan performed with Benny Carter and Dizzy Gillespie…
Jordan has received four Grammy nominations. His most recent album "Friends" was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Los Angeles Times jazz critic Leonard Feather wrote, ‘Genius is a word often tossed around in musical circles, but it has been rightfully applied to Stanley Jordan.’
Key to Jordan’s fast-track acclaim was his mastery of a special technique on the guitar’s fretboard. Instead of conventional strumming and picking, Jordan's innovative "touch technique" is an advanced form of two-handed tapping. While a handful of other players were using similar techniques, Stanley’s fluid, multi-layered textures and sheer virtuosity raised the bar for excellence”.
Stanley Jordan dropped into the Greenwich Odeum on Veteran’s Day, November 11th to celebrate the creative force of Jimi Hendrix. He played many of Jimi’s hits and a couple more obscure ones and while appearing like Jimi with his Afro and headband he was clear about not copying him but rather emulating his style, energy and creative genius. His encore was preceded by a few words from Jordan explaining that Jimi was such an influence that he switched his focus from classical piano study to guitar and developing a totally unique approach to the instrument. According to his website, “Jordan's touch technique allows the guitarist to play melody and chords simultaneously with an unprecedented level of independence. It also allows Jordan to play simultaneously on two different guitars, or even on guitar and piano”. I would have loved to have witnessed that.
It remains an enigma to me that Jordan is not more of a family name given his enormous talent and many accomplishments both in the studio and on the screen. If inspired please visit his website to learn more about his background. On this visit Jordan played in a trio format with Wes Wirth on bass and Kenwood Dennard on drums, percussion and piano. This power trio came and delivered in ways unimagined. The bassist was spot on and when solo time came he cranked it up and ripped the roof off the place. However, the big surprise for me was watching and listening to Kenwood Dennard command the drum kit literally like no one I have ever heard. He was extremely dynamic and used his whole being to deliver Elgin-like movements to his polyrhythms. He’d play the double bass and then work up a steady roll with one stick while precisely smacking the snare with surgeon-like off beats. After proving that this was no fluke, he augmented his delivery with some keyboard fills with his left hand while simultaneously holding down the rhythm. He was a beast (in the very best sense)!!
I tried to imagine what it might take to entertain playing a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, considered by many to be the ultimate rock God of all time. Jordan has the talent to offer Jimi’s work in the best form to celebrate his memory and contributions to the fullest. i was expecting to hear more jazz inflected flourishes in the program but Jordan stayed focused on Jimi to the bone. He made it look effortless and appeared to get into the zone many times. As I reflect upon this experience I recall a favorite quote of Maya Angelou: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” With that, I will forget the specific songs he played or the flaming riffs Jordan ripped or Dennard rumbled or Wirth wailed but I will Never forget the way this show made me feel. Thank you most sincerely.
After the program I approached the stage where Jordan and Dennard were greeting friends. I engaged Dennard to share my enthusiasm for his many talents. As it was Veteran’s Day I was wearing my ship’s hat which he noticed while I was talking. He said “Thanks, but I didn’t have to risk my life to do what I did”, and thanked me for my service. Wow!
i want to thank the folks at the Greenwich Odeum http://www.greenwichodeum.com specifically Amanda & Rachel, for allowing me to collect some amazing memories and also to thank Stanley Jordan for granting permission to photograph this spectacular production. I had not seen him since Newport Jazz in 1986 and this show could not have been any better.
Read MoreJordan has received four Grammy nominations. His most recent album "Friends" was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Los Angeles Times jazz critic Leonard Feather wrote, ‘Genius is a word often tossed around in musical circles, but it has been rightfully applied to Stanley Jordan.’
Key to Jordan’s fast-track acclaim was his mastery of a special technique on the guitar’s fretboard. Instead of conventional strumming and picking, Jordan's innovative "touch technique" is an advanced form of two-handed tapping. While a handful of other players were using similar techniques, Stanley’s fluid, multi-layered textures and sheer virtuosity raised the bar for excellence”.
Stanley Jordan dropped into the Greenwich Odeum on Veteran’s Day, November 11th to celebrate the creative force of Jimi Hendrix. He played many of Jimi’s hits and a couple more obscure ones and while appearing like Jimi with his Afro and headband he was clear about not copying him but rather emulating his style, energy and creative genius. His encore was preceded by a few words from Jordan explaining that Jimi was such an influence that he switched his focus from classical piano study to guitar and developing a totally unique approach to the instrument. According to his website, “Jordan's touch technique allows the guitarist to play melody and chords simultaneously with an unprecedented level of independence. It also allows Jordan to play simultaneously on two different guitars, or even on guitar and piano”. I would have loved to have witnessed that.
It remains an enigma to me that Jordan is not more of a family name given his enormous talent and many accomplishments both in the studio and on the screen. If inspired please visit his website to learn more about his background. On this visit Jordan played in a trio format with Wes Wirth on bass and Kenwood Dennard on drums, percussion and piano. This power trio came and delivered in ways unimagined. The bassist was spot on and when solo time came he cranked it up and ripped the roof off the place. However, the big surprise for me was watching and listening to Kenwood Dennard command the drum kit literally like no one I have ever heard. He was extremely dynamic and used his whole being to deliver Elgin-like movements to his polyrhythms. He’d play the double bass and then work up a steady roll with one stick while precisely smacking the snare with surgeon-like off beats. After proving that this was no fluke, he augmented his delivery with some keyboard fills with his left hand while simultaneously holding down the rhythm. He was a beast (in the very best sense)!!
I tried to imagine what it might take to entertain playing a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, considered by many to be the ultimate rock God of all time. Jordan has the talent to offer Jimi’s work in the best form to celebrate his memory and contributions to the fullest. i was expecting to hear more jazz inflected flourishes in the program but Jordan stayed focused on Jimi to the bone. He made it look effortless and appeared to get into the zone many times. As I reflect upon this experience I recall a favorite quote of Maya Angelou: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” With that, I will forget the specific songs he played or the flaming riffs Jordan ripped or Dennard rumbled or Wirth wailed but I will Never forget the way this show made me feel. Thank you most sincerely.
After the program I approached the stage where Jordan and Dennard were greeting friends. I engaged Dennard to share my enthusiasm for his many talents. As it was Veteran’s Day I was wearing my ship’s hat which he noticed while I was talking. He said “Thanks, but I didn’t have to risk my life to do what I did”, and thanked me for my service. Wow!
i want to thank the folks at the Greenwich Odeum http://www.greenwichodeum.com specifically Amanda & Rachel, for allowing me to collect some amazing memories and also to thank Stanley Jordan for granting permission to photograph this spectacular production. I had not seen him since Newport Jazz in 1986 and this show could not have been any better.
