Hindustan Soprano Summit 1995

Hindustan Soprano Summit 1995

The Soprano Summit Reunion Band at the 1995 Bern Jazz Festival.
The 1970s, an era best known in jazz as the "fusion years," seemed like a very unlikely time to form a classic jazz/mainstream group. At Dick Gibson's annual Colorado Jazz Party in 1972, Bob Wilber and Kenny Davern so enjoyed playing together during one song that within a short time Soprano Summit was formed. Wilber and Davern both doubled on sopranos and clarinets, and were originally joined by pianist Dick Hyman, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Bobby Rosengarden, cutting their first two sets for the World Jazz label. By 1976, when the group really hit its stride, Wilber and Davern were teaming up with acoustic guitarist/vocalist Marty Grosz and a variety of bassists and drummers. The band featured passionate versions of pre-bop standards and obscurities, and the interplay between the co-leaders was often quite intense and consistently exciting. Before their breakup in 1979, Soprano Summit had recorded gems for Chiaroscuro, Jazzology, Concord, and Fat Cat's Jazz, in addition to a third album for World Jazz. In 1986, Davern (who was now exclusively playing clarinet) and Wilbur had an informal get-together, and they have played together on an occasional basis since, making recordings as Soprano Reunion with the original rhythm section (with Milt Hinton filling in for the late Duvivier) in 1990 and 1992and here in 1995.
Pianist Johnny Varro, drummer Jake Hanna, guitarist Marty Grosz and it should be noted that bassist Milt Hinton is 85 years old at this festival and still plays with the best in the world.

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Music

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• in
• europe
• wilber
• davern

[medmond6]

@ambodian The cornerstone was a great little jazz joint then. I hadn;t been there in many years and took a ride about a week ago to see if it still featured jazz only to find an Italian restaurent. It seems that all the good jazz places have disappeared. Way too bad.

[tdub1941]

Hi Bob,

Another stupendous winner of a video and musical gem!

Thanks for posting it.

RagJazzMonkey Tom

[ambodian]

Kenny played regularly in Metuchen NJ in the late 70's at the Cornerstone, usually with Lou Carter Jr. and Warren Vache Jr. Yes, he was an amazing human being.

[shinzembi]

Wow, what a great soprano tone!

[hapuakohe]

Certainly the best group form the last quarter of last centrury-an absolutely stunning performance in every way. I agree I can't believe that any rock musician could past up such great jazz. Wondeful and thoroughly enjoyable. So sad that Kenny is no longer with us. i saw him just once in live performance-a great musician and warm human being-funny as well.

[daDEXO]

Im really interested in 1995 Bern Jazz Festival, do you know where i can find the entire video?

[daDEXO]

Shut up and listen.

[BeBopElmo]

More great jazz thanks to the eclectic Jazbo Bob. What a treat. Fabulous brushes by Jake Hanna, Milt Hinton swinging away, and a wonderful no-amp guitar solo by Mr. Rhythm, Marty Grosz. Kenny and Bob together, a dynamic duo if there ever was one. Classic.

[re6356]

Brilliant musicians. Comparing rock performers with the skills of these guys is like comparing a skateboard to a Cadillac. I remember when I was at Ronnie Scott`s place in London, a well known rock guitarist was asked to sit in with a few of the club`s regulars. He smiled and declined, "I can`t play at that level, that stuff is beyond me".

My brother, a rock guitarist, was in awe of Wes Montgomery. "Those jazz players are something else", he always said.