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Review: Billy Collins Project less than the sum of its parts
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You got jazz in my poetry!
You got poetry in my jazz!
Saturday's performance at Berkeley's Jazzschool was a variation on the old Reese's peanut butter/chocolate lament, as saxophonist Michael Zilber showcased a handful of original tunes based on verse by former Poet Laureate Billy Collins and accompanied by sung renditions of same.
Zilber and his quintet were in fine form, particularly pianist John Burr, who contributed supple, energetic grace to most tunes.
No problem with the selection of poems either, which range from Collins' typical whimsy to more somber reflections and literary exercises.
But the combination never quite gelled for me, with disparate elements seldom enhancing each other. My suspicion is to blame the poetry, whose structure seldom lends toward melodic construction and is often based on seemingly off-the-cuff observations that don't support the thematic weight of lengthy jazz compositions.
You're free to hear for yourself and agree or disagree. Zilber winds up a Bay Area mini-tour with an 8 p.m. performance tonight at the San Francisco Yoshi's. Tickets are $10.
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