A Look Back: July 7

(Image: Trustworth Samende of Mokoomba at Music Haven, 7/7/2024 – photo by Timothy Reidy)

By Mike Stampalia.

10 years ago: Ben Williams and Sound Effect @ Skidmore College’s Zankel Music Center

While Williams’ aggression puts him apart from the pack, it was his hushed work in the clear towards the end of the 90-minute set that left the biggest mark. As the rest of the band left the stage, Williams said, “You’ll remember this if you were around in the ’90s…” He paused to smile down at the students. “Some of you were BARELY around in the ’90s!” After a long rubato exploration that left Zankel’s acoustics panting for breath, Williams went into Nirvana’s signature tune “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Nirvana covers aren’t foreign to jazz by any means, but most arrangements try to approach the nuclear energy Kurt Cobain’s trio pumped into everything they did. Williams went the other way, creating a poignant ode to an artist gone far too soon, and you could have heard a pin drop while he played it.

– J Hunter for Nippertown

1 year ago: Mokoomba / Jordan Taylor Hill @ Music Haven

Mathias Muzaza of Mokoomba at Music Haven, 7/7/24 – photo by Timothy Reidy

I can’t tell you the name of a single number they presented. If they did any numbers in English, the words escaped me. Instead, they proved that music is a universal language that at times is more significant than the diatribes we fling at each other whether we be kings, princes, presidents, paupers, politicians or just plain folks. Oh, the joy of it.

– Don Wilcock for Nippertown

1 year ago: Big D and the Kids Table / We Are the Union / Kill Lincoln @ Empire Underground