Ernie Krivda led an all-star band in a sold-out TriC JazzFest performance at The Hermit Club Wednesday night. Situated in the shadows of PlayhouseSquare, the 100-plus year old private club literally built around the idea of showcasing artists by Cleveland dean of architects Frank B. Meade was a fitting site as Krivda roared through an evocative collection of tunes dubbed "Thunder in the Heartland."
The tenor sax master, who's shared the stage with Cannonball Adderley, Quincy Jones and Ella Fitzgerald, assembled a dynamic ensemble for the performance, including pianist Steve Allee, guitarist Joshua Breakstone, bassist Marion Hayden, drummer Roger Humphries and trumpeter Pharez Whitted. Over the course of more than two hours, the sextet wove a rich musical tapestry of sounds that originated on a well-worn circuit that's charted an influential roster of players through Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Each member of the "Heartland" troupe hailed from points on the musical tour, lending an authenticity to Krivda's originals and covers, including a punchy rendition of Wes Montgomery's "West Coast Blues." With Cleveland as its epicenter, the performance was a nuanced, optimistic and stylized rendering of life on the North Coast, each player binding impeccable technique to a strongly emotional narrative approach.
The stage was set at the back of the Club's Tudor ballroom-cum-concert hall, amid an imposing fireplace, ornately carved wood panels and beams, and wood floor that provided seating for more than 100 attendees. Unsurprisingly, the purpose-built, intimate venue provided solid acoustics. Krivda doubled as an engaging emcee, charming the crowd with anecdotes and humor that along with his well-known virtuosity provided the backbone for expressive sounds that emanated with a fiery energy, including the set-leading "Emerald," an undulating, spritely swing that captured the excitement of going through the dark tunnels of Municipal Stadium and emerging before fields of green – the song's inspiration, according to Krivda. The stirring melodies of "Sursum Corda (Lift up Your Hearts)" effortlessly segued into a moving tribute, as Krivda reflected on Martin Juredine, the man who for decades cultivated and inspired musicians at the Barking Spider in University Circle. Krivda quipped, "I remember fun – longingly," before dedicating "A Line For Martin." For those who knew Juredine – and those who did not – Allee's energetic piano lines, snappy rhythm and searing brass passages from Krivda and Whitted had a vitality that aurally captured the vibrancy of a man so deeply revered in the community.
"The Cedar Walk" again brought out the storyteller in Krivda, regaling the increasingly lively crowd with tales from his playing days in the late 50s, the hot spots on Euclid Avenue and the lesser-known clubs of Cedar Road. It was in the latter that he found his rhythm as a bandmate – and learned the importance of being able to fan himself while still playing his sax. A cheekily plodding baseline supplied by Hayden set the pace for a sensuous groove, after which Whitted's playing took center stage – logistically and musically. Krivda prefaced "Blues for Pekar" (the title track of Krivda's new album due in July), explaining his friendship with the Cleveland author of American Splendor and music critic, and setting the scene for a bluesy, serpentine and lyrical track – much like the man it's named for. Krivda's spoken sentiment was echoed in his visceral playing.
The evening ended with Charlier Parker's frenetic standard "Anthropology," affording each member the opportunity to flex their musical chops, Humphries nailing a particularly rousing drum solo. Krivda, Whitted and Breakstone were, in fact, demonstratively Thriving on a Riff.
The 2011 Tri-C JazzFest continues through May 8. Click here for more information.
