by Russ Musto

Roscoe Mitchell 70th Birthday Celebration

In a belated celebration of his 70th birthday (Aug. 4th, 2010), Roscoe Mitchell made an all-too-rare New York appearance at Roulette (Feb. 17th) in which he clearly confirmed that age has in no way mitigated his intense dedication to a very distinctive approach to improvisation that is his own creation. Performing before a packed-to-the-walls audience that included luminary colleagues too numerous to name (with nearly as many disappointed followers spilled out onto Greene Street, unable to enter) Mitchell engaged in two sets that showed why his music is equally enthralling to modern jazz and contemporary classical listeners. Beginning the evening in a duo performance with computer music innovator David Wessel, the saxophonist explored subtle microtonal and timbral variations in an environment of laptop soundscapes. This set the stage for a second set of completely improvised music with an imposing quartet featuring Dave Burrell, Henry Grimes and Tani Tabal. That music unfolded naturally from the first notes of Mitchell’s alto blending harmoniously with Grimes’ bowed bass, with Tabal’s brushes establishing a rhythmic context within which Burrell’s piano roamed freely, alternately offering reinforcement and counterpoint. The music built in intensity with Mitchell’s soprano mining minute tones (mirrored by Grimes’ violin) while his alto filled the room with a robust sound that would climax with long amazing circular-breathed lines that pushed physical limits. (RM)