2008 Woodie Awards
Densmore Performs "Tribal Jazz"
Scott Mitchell
Issue date: 5/21/08 Section: Valley Life
John Densmore, iconic rock and roll drummer with the legendary Doors, captivated Los Angeles audiences with his highly-anticipated jazz creation titled, "Tribaljazz."
Well before Densmore rose to fame as the drummer for the Doors, he fell in love with jazz. As a teenager, he used to sneak in to clubs to see and meet the jazz masters of the day.
This innate love for the genre finally came to fruition after 40 years, with the help of creative collaborator, Art Ellis. The result is a musical tapestry that warrants listening to again and again. By the end of each set, Densmore and company had the audience standing, clapping and dancing in the aisles.
Describing music to someone who has not heard it is like describing the way food tastes. It really cannot be done effectively. Having said that, "Tribaljazz" is like food for the soul. The music, the feeling, and the message are of healing and celebration. Densmore's creation and musical vision is bold. Bring the world together. Recognize that we are all connected. Celebrate our diversity and celebrate our common threads.
The music is easy to get behind. Easy listening without falling asleep with beautiful melodies and rhythms and great pacing. The sounds of Art Ellis's flute and saxophone are present in almost all of the tunes. Let's not forget the African drums and the Brazilian rhythm section. "Tribaljazz" has authentic tribal roots and flavor.
Aziz Faye, percussion, from Senegal, Africa makes his own drums and drum sticks. Lula, from Bahia, Brazil, plays a wide array of percussion and indigenous instruments. Marcel Adjibi, from Africa, via France, is on congas as well as a soft drum that he held under his arm and squeezed. Osama Afifi, from Egypt on stand up bass. Quinn Johnson on piano, Art Ellis on soprano sax, alto sax, and flute. John Densmore on drums and percussion.
Highlights of the sets included an instrumental version of the Doors classic song, "Riders on the Storm;" a catchy and poetic tribute to John Coltrane; a salute to Miles Davis; the "Tribal version" of the Police hit, "Wrapped Around Your Finger;" as well as a Steely Dan cover.
The sets started off with Art Ellis on stage playing the flute, followed by Densmore on cowbell and the percussion section playing African and Brazilian drums as the musicians walked through the audience on their way to the stage.
Densmore and Ellis already have plans for a follow up to "Tribaljazz." The talented group of musicians will be performing on May 25 at the UCLA Jazz Festival. For more information on John Densmore and "Tribaljazz," check out johndensmore.com, tribaljazz.com, or hiddenbeach.com.
Well before Densmore rose to fame as the drummer for the Doors, he fell in love with jazz. As a teenager, he used to sneak in to clubs to see and meet the jazz masters of the day.
This innate love for the genre finally came to fruition after 40 years, with the help of creative collaborator, Art Ellis. The result is a musical tapestry that warrants listening to again and again. By the end of each set, Densmore and company had the audience standing, clapping and dancing in the aisles.
Describing music to someone who has not heard it is like describing the way food tastes. It really cannot be done effectively. Having said that, "Tribaljazz" is like food for the soul. The music, the feeling, and the message are of healing and celebration. Densmore's creation and musical vision is bold. Bring the world together. Recognize that we are all connected. Celebrate our diversity and celebrate our common threads.
The music is easy to get behind. Easy listening without falling asleep with beautiful melodies and rhythms and great pacing. The sounds of Art Ellis's flute and saxophone are present in almost all of the tunes. Let's not forget the African drums and the Brazilian rhythm section. "Tribaljazz" has authentic tribal roots and flavor.
Aziz Faye, percussion, from Senegal, Africa makes his own drums and drum sticks. Lula, from Bahia, Brazil, plays a wide array of percussion and indigenous instruments. Marcel Adjibi, from Africa, via France, is on congas as well as a soft drum that he held under his arm and squeezed. Osama Afifi, from Egypt on stand up bass. Quinn Johnson on piano, Art Ellis on soprano sax, alto sax, and flute. John Densmore on drums and percussion.
Highlights of the sets included an instrumental version of the Doors classic song, "Riders on the Storm;" a catchy and poetic tribute to John Coltrane; a salute to Miles Davis; the "Tribal version" of the Police hit, "Wrapped Around Your Finger;" as well as a Steely Dan cover.
The sets started off with Art Ellis on stage playing the flute, followed by Densmore on cowbell and the percussion section playing African and Brazilian drums as the musicians walked through the audience on their way to the stage.
Densmore and Ellis already have plans for a follow up to "Tribaljazz." The talented group of musicians will be performing on May 25 at the UCLA Jazz Festival. For more information on John Densmore and "Tribaljazz," check out johndensmore.com, tribaljazz.com, or hiddenbeach.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Scott Galloway
posted 5/25/08 @ 1:10 PM PST
This is a really good group that deserves to be seen. Mr. Mitchell's article was very helpful in its description of how refreshing Tribal Jazz's multicultural approach to jazz is both vibrant and torch-bearing. (Continued…)
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