Don Byron - No-Vibe Zone: Live at the Knitting Factory 'January 7, 1996

Tracks list

Tracks

1		Wru	 
2		Sex / Work (Clarence / Anita)	 
3		Next Love 
4		The Allure Of Entanglement	 
5		Tangerine	 
6		Tuskegee Strutter's Ball 

Personnel

Don Byron – Clarinet
David Gilmore – Guitar
Uri Caine – Piano
Kenny Davis – Bass
Marvin « Smitty » Smith – Drums

Don Byron is the quintessential clarinetist of the modern mainstream, and this
is a tolerably good example of his work as an improvisor, composer, and
bandleader. Byron swings and grooves well in a conventional sense, yet his
slippery phrasing runs clear of rhythmic cliché. His tone is clear and pure,
as well, but what's even more important than his considerable instrumental skill
is the manifest originality and inspiration that drives his art. Byron's
tendency to quote other musics and musicians is a bit off-putting, but such
appropriation is an aspect of the jazz tradition that Byron embraces
convincingly and creatively. His bandmates operate on a similarly high level.
Guitarist David Gilmore is an intelligent and very exciting player, possessing
an inherently lyrical approach that's compromised a bit by forays into heavy
metal timbres. Drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith has a comprehensive technique, and
sets incredible grooves, but tends to overplay in the ensemble. Pianist Uri
Caine is a versatile, resourceful accompanist and soloist, as is bassist Kenny
Davis. A strong, loose, exciting performance by one of straightahead jazz's most
able exponents.

Chris Kelsey

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