Gig review/ Billy Kilson Trio

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Billy Kilson Trio/ Live in Mumbai

Genre: Jazz

Details: Tata Theatre, January 31

Rating: *****

In his formal half-jacket, enjoying his chewing gum, eyes wandering into distant space, Billy Kilson looked straight out of a Christopher Nolan film. He sat behind his drum-kit like a king, moving from gentle feather-touch flourishes to sudden energetic tom-tom bursts within the blink of an eyelid.

And he had like-minded company. Pianist Geoffrey Keezer and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet completed the Billy Kilson Trio, bringing their own brand of genius and virtuosity to the table. While it wouldn't be fair to compare this show with other great jazz performances Mumbai has witnessed over the past year or two, Saturday night's gig at the Tata Theatre stood out for its sheer artistry and soul. 

The great music was accompanied by nostalgia too, as Kilson recalled how the great pianist Ahmed Jamal had told him 40 years ago to visit India, and yet, this was his first tour of the country. He even impersonated, in a very loving way, how 'Mr Jamal' conducted the band. "If Alan Dawson taught me to be a drummer, Ahmed Jamal taught me to be a musician," he said, to applause from those who knew their jazz.

The Jamal tribute included a three-part medley of Herbie Hancock's 'Dolphin Dance', the standard 'Moonlight In Vermont' and the Jamal tune 'Poinciana'. But before that, the trio had built up the show beautifully with some great coordination, delightful solos and skin-tight groove.

The evening began with a fresh arrangement of Joe Henderson's composition 'The Kicker', the title track from the Billy Kilson Trio's new album. Then came a soothing, goosefleshy adaptation of the standard 'Stella By Starlight', which began with a splendid piano solo.

Kilson then talked of how he was once asked to sit in for the great drummer Steve Gadd for a show when he was unavailable. The other band members at that concert were the great saxophonist David Sanborn, pianist Bob James and bassist Marcus Miller. In memory of that appearance, they played a fresh piano-driven version of 'Maputo', originally recorded with Gadd.

The other pieces included Dave Holland's 'The Balance', a composition by bassist Essiet blending Brazilian and Angolan music, pianist Keezer's adaptation of an extracts from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack and 'Spanish Joint', written by neo-soul singer D'Angelo and trumpeter Roy Hargrove.

Addressing the audience, Kilson was at his charming best, his demeanour and mannerisms somewhat reminiscent of the great guitarist Larry Coryell and singer Al Jarreau. There was charm in everything he did, including the way he smiled when an audience member's phone suddenly went off mid-solo. As an endearing gesture, he invited a young boy, maybe three or four, to join them on stage while taking a bow, even handing him a drum-stick.

Mumbai has seen two other renowned international jazz drummers over the past year, with Peter Erskine joining trumpeter Randy Brecker and Dennis Chambers playing with guitarist Mike Stern. One hopes Dave Weckl, who has visited Chennai and Bengaluru, also has a show in Mumbai. We have another name in mind, and if that happens, it'll be a Gadd-send.