Chateauguay Tenors Live! 'Bebop' (Pt. 1)

Al McLean - Tenor, C Melody & Alto Saxophones
Cameron Wallis - Tenor, C Melody & Alto Saxophones
Geoff Lapp - Piano
Morgan Moore - Bass
Richard Irwin Drums

Recorded at Bar du Diable à 4, Point St. Charles Quebec, January 23, 2010

'Bebop' (Dizzy Gilliespie comp.) Pt. 1

Two sax players, six saxophones... a hundred screaming people. This demanding up tempo variation of Rhythm Changes by Dizzy Gillespie is in minor key, darker than its ubiquitous ancestor, the frenetic pace pushing the players well into their technical 'hot zone'. Everyone rises to the challenge though, I think Dizzy would be smiling if her were in the audience. Who knows, maybe he's listening...

McLean and Wallis cycle through three saxophones each, playing tenor, alto and the rarely heard C Melody (make sure to watch part 2). Whoever says the C Melody is an obsolete instrument should tell these two fellows on the stage.

If you were lucky to find yourself at this installment of "Jazz in the Point" - a fabulous grassroots concert series in one of Montreal's less 'urbane' neighborhoods - you probably also found yourself screaming, and kicking your neighbor under the table. Not out of anger, but from the pure joy and electric thrill of a high octane barn burner.

Five of Montreal's most talented musicians let loose on this project; a full-on, straight ahead romp through some loose roadhouse, jazz-shack shaking, dust-cloud raising tunes. A cutting contest so to speak, but with a rare good-natured, communal glow emanating from the stage. Indeed, by the last tune, the audience was invited up with horns (or just their mouthpieces) to join in the fray, eventually McLean and Wallis removing themselves to survey their good work from the bar with broad smiles and beer in hand.

I have only seen one other show like the Châteauguay Tenors, and that was in New Orleans at Vaughans Lounge. Kermit Ruffins was playing, and I was awestruck by the heady ambiance, the players connection to the crowd... their immersion in the crowd. Indeed, at Vaughans, the players mingle with the dancers, pumping out Dixieland inspired second-line riffs and roars with no amplification other than lung power. The Châteauguay Tenors assume a more crisp, big city demeanor, coming at you like a gleaming steamroller. Oh yes, there was dancing too at Le Diable, taboos of etiquette went under the steamroller.

This is the first part of the 16 minute performance, please click through to see part 2, and more clips of the band.

Directed by Randy Cole
Produced by Randy Cole and Al McLean

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Al McLean
• Cameron Wallis
• Morgan Moore
• Rich Irwin
• Geoff Lapp
• Randy Cole
• Paul Johnston
• Dizzy Gillespie
• Montreal
• Jazz
• Bebop
• Blues
• John Coltrane
• Illinois Jacquet
• Johnny Griffin
• Conn
• Selmer
• Martin
• Sax
• Saxophone
• C Melody

[christof]

great

[Iceconstable]

I'd like to know what size alto mouthpieces Al uses in his C melody saxophones. Awesome.

[GILVANDO]

Awesome. Excellent performance.

[altrane40]

@MrJeanPhilippe007

That's the problem with that whole world!!!!

[MrJeanPhilippe007]

The problem with Montréal is that there's too many good saxophone players and not enough people to appreciate it! This video is awesome.

[juwan66]

What is the song they are playing?

[tonyfreejazz20]

AWESOME...thanks for posting this.

[chloe11234]

amazing, amazingly amazing

[saviesax]

Two fabulous unsung heros