McCoy Tyner will help Eclipse Jazz celebrate its 10th anniversary

By MICHAEL C.NASTOS 

NEWS ARTS WRITER

Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner will perform an historic concert in Ann Arbor next Thursday. The event will be special both because of the musician’s singular position as one of the most influential players in modern music, and because it marks a milestone for the Eclipse Jazz organization.

Ten years ago, when Eclipse Jazz was born, Tyner was booked as its first presentation at Power Center. Now he will return to display his mastery of the piano, showcasing a new group and spotlighting 10 years of distinct changes for the former John Coltrane accompanist.

Tyner, nearing age 46, has made considerable progress in an idiom that is fighting off strangulation. In a country that deifies musicians who play loud while on the other hand ignoring its musical heritage, Tyner sticks to his guns by offering some of the most powerful, visceral music on the planet. None of this has come easy for the man who made his mark on the music industry in the early ’60s with the classic Coltrane quartet.

In those days of the jazz music revolution, when chaos and atonality set the music of Ornette Coleman, Archie Shepp and Albert Ayler apart from the post-bop mainstream, Tyner was in his formative years as a session pianist. He played on countless recording dates for Blue Note and Impulse records, as a sideman and occasionally a leader. He formed the first version of the revered Jazztet with Benny Golson, Art Farmer and Curtis Fuller. Shortly thereafter he joined John Coltrane to form one of the most influential jazz quartets in the history of the music.

That band changed the face of the music as much as any of the so-called “free” avant gardists. Such recordings as “Giant Steps”, “A Love Supreme” and “My Favorite Things” could not have had such an impact without the dense, inspired chording of Tyner.

But by the flower power era, and the subsequent death of Coltrane, Tyner had established himself as an individual to be reckoned with. His solo, trio and group recordings on Blue Note and later Milestone records became staples of modern American music.

In the late ’70s, Tyner was still churning out vital music in expanded formats. He scored for big bands, strings, and voices. But because of a lack of sales, he was dropped from Milestone.

More recently he was signed to Columbia records, where he put out an excellent recording, featuring Detroiter Marcus Belgrave and the young firebrand Chico Freeman. But after this recording, as well as a collaboration with guitarist Carlos Santana and soul/pop vocalist Phyllis Hyman failed to be promoted or garner any critical acclaim, Tyner was dropped by CBS as well.

Now Tyner has released “Dimensions” on the Elektra/Musician label, headed by former CBS president Bruce Lundvall. Lundvall has been on as much a roller coaster as Tyner, having left Elektra/Musician to revive the Blue Note label. Speculation that Tyner will follow suit is encouraging, as Tyner’s music has in the past been diluted by corporations looking to turn a buck. “Dimension” is solid evidence that Tyner is on the way back, but the question is, will the market ever be ready for this man and his music?

Tyner still swings as fervently as ever. His latest quintet, to be heard at the concert, is a blend of young players and veteran improvisors. For instance, drummer Wilby Fletcher is one of the young lions providing new ideas and older ideals. He gained prominence with bassist Ron Carter, and joins the long list of prominent percussionists that have had the opportunity to perform with Tyner.

Bassist John Lee was well known in the ’70s as one half of the best studio rhythm team in the business, opposite drummer Gerry Brown, now with the Lionel Richie band. Gary Bartz is a former member of the Tyner aggregation, and returns his fiery alto and tenor sax playing to a situation for which he is well-suited. And music director and violinist John Blake, the veteran of the group, has also emerged as a leader in his own right with his solo effort “Maiden Dance”.

Tyner himself is at the height of his powers, and one will likely hear a thoughtful, introspective, inventive pianist who, despite all odds, is still creating personal, progressive sounds that are derived from a direct spiritual source, rooted in what only can be described as musical genius.

The McCoy Tyner Quintet will perform Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Michigan Union Ballroom, 530 S. State St. Tickets are $10 general admission and can be purchased at the Michigan Union Box Office, Schoolkids Records, PJ.'s Used Records and at all Ticket World outlets as well as at the door the night of the show. For more information call Eclipse Jazz at 763-0046.