Few jazz artists have dominated their instrument the way vibes legend Bobby Hutcherson did in the 1960s and '70s. Whether playing angular, complex post-bop or funk-friendly groove jazz, working with boundary-pushers like Eric Dolphy or toe-tappers like Grant Green, everything Hutcherson played communicated commitment, intellect and virtuosity.
At the age of 71 and with an oxygen tank by his side most of the time, Hutcherson still packs a wallop, as he'll surely demonstrate when the long-time Bay Area resident celebates his birthday this week with shows at Yoshi's San Francisco at 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $18-$25.
Also worth noting on the Bay Area jazz scene this week:
- VNote and Grupo Falso Baiano explore varioius threads of Latin jazz tradition, 8 p.m. Monday at Yoshi's San Francisco. $8-$12
- Violin adventurer Mads Tolling celebrates the release of his new album, the fusion-forward "The Playmaker," with an 8 p.m. Monday show at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco's Hotel Nikko. $27.50
- Master bassist Kai Eckhardt mixes fusion, funk and worldbeat, 8 p.m. Thursday at Yoshi's Oakland. $12-$16
- Bassist/bandleader Marcus Shelby performs his original tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., 9 p.m. Thursday at George's in San Rafael. $12-$15
- Master pianist Dick Whittington teams up with sax ace Andrew Speight for an 8 p.m. Saturday show at Berkeley's Jazzschool. $15-$18
- Violinist Yehudit leads a chamber-jazz appreciation of Miles Davis, 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Jazzschool. $12-$15
Send tips, comments and good karma to the author.
Comments