EdgeFest 2011 - Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor, Mi.

Thursday, October 19 was the first concert of the 15th annual EdgeFest in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The music is presented primarily in the Kerrytown Concert House that seats approximately 80 new and advanced music enthusiasts. 

    This year’s festival, which runs though Saturday, got off to a tremendously good start with the piano-violin wife and husband duo of Sylvie Courvoisier and Mark Feldman. They performed the each other’s compositions and a couple of pieces by John Zorn. I had heard Courvoisier a few years ago at the much missed National Bohemian Home in Detroit. Feldman appeared a the Guelph Festival two years ago in the context of a large ensemble. The music I heard last evening was very exciting. Courvoisier smacks the piano, both the keys and strings, in compelling musical ways - her articulation of melodic-rhythmic events leaves space for the listener to take the music in; she doesn’t rush her audience. Feldman’s playing was equally precise and beautiful - his intonation and his playing were quite beautiful - it was fast and clear.

    The final music event of the evening involved Tony Malaby (tenor & soprano saxophones), William Parker (bass), and Tom Rainey (drums). We all know about Parker’s rock-steady, rhythmic, and melodic playing - he tightens up most of the groups in which he plays. The drummer, Tom Rainey, I had not heard before (nor had I heard of him). His playing was a real treat - he played the drums and didn’t play around with the drums. The leader, Tony Malaby, was new to me also. This group presented its audience with an hour and ten minute music event. During this music event, I kept thinking of Sonny Rollins’ Sonny Moon for Two. In this case the audience was presented with very fine playing and interesting melodic and rhythmic ideas and articulation of Parker and Rainey. Malaby’s playing was less interesting to me. It flowed (a good thing) but it didn’t grab or amaze me. His ideas were less than expansive. I found was soprano saxophone tone irritating. One can certainly discern in Malaby’s playing his musicianship and saxophone mastery.