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04/18/2024 12:00 AMBridgeport-born jazz flautist Jamie Baum brought a very different vibe to the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme the night of April 6, one that was more relaxed and homey than in previous performances I have attended since the beginning of this year.
Most of those earlier performances brought an onslaught of wailing horns and manic piano playing, as well as dextrous guitar shredding. So when I saw that the flute was taking center stage as I looked for a performance on the club’s calendar, I was sure to catch some I had never seen before.
Baum and her talented three backing musicians established a calmer, serene environment at the Side Door that felt at times like it was a late night show rather than the central event of a night out. For someone who was obviously looking for something different, that sat well with me.
The emblematic tune of the night was “Triple Creek,” inspired by a gig in Wyoming Baum did some time ago. Baum’s flute set the peaceful state that brought about images of mountain creeks and rolling fields of grass on a bright and slightly tinted sunny afternoon, that was not your typical “chill jazz” song to slumber off to.
Baum talked with the audience a few times between songs, but the night was clearly about the music - the often long-winding music that admitted felt like a lull at times, but was picked right back up even whilst still maintaining its general relaxed state.
Case in point: her bassist (my sincere apologies for not having your name) was able to take advantage of two solo opportunities that made him the only one on the stage playing their instrument in those moments, and demonstrated great technique and wonderful choices of notes. It reminded me that when given a chance to shine, the bass emerges as the emotive instrument of all.
Another highlight of the evening was the song LBW, during which drummer Allison Miller shined with an extensive solo that riveted the crowd. As a student of John Bonham’s legendary drumming and an appreciator of jazz drummers like Joe Morello, the use of hands instead of sticks for the second half of the solo to strike the drums were a nice touch to add different percussive textures.
Admittedly, I left the show somewhat wanting more, feeling like there could have maybe been one more number to exit with a tad more pep. But as stated in my opening paragraph, that was not the intention of the show. So it was not my usual jazz affair, but I’m sure glad I and a clearly pleased audience could experience something different that night at the Side Door.
Coming up at the Side Door:
Friday, April 19: Manuel Valera - Piano; John Ellis - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone; Boris Kozlov - Bass; Jimmy MacBride - Drums
Saturday, April 20: Clifton Anderson - Trombone; Antoine Roney - Saxophone; Edsel Gomez - Piano; Belden Bullock - Bass; Steve Johns - Drums; Victor See Yuen - Percussion
Friday, April 26: Alexander Claffy - Bass; Matthew; Rotker Lynn - Guitar; Aaron Goldberg - Piano; Joe Peri - Drums
Saturday, April 27: Nick Finzer