HARVEY SIDERS: THE GIFT OF MUSIC >>>
Take two outstanding instrumentalists- trombonist Randy Oxford and tenor saxophonist Darren Motamedy - and put them on the same stage, and you can expect a ton of musical sparks. But will those sparks be dominated by the blues-drenched Oxford, or by the pop jazz sounds of Motamedy? Better yet, will they merge into a third, unnamed genre that will prove to be a highly seasonal alloy presciently labeled the "Gift of Music" That's what Jazzbones is calling the event, taking place tonight as part of the Randy Oxford Blues Theater Jam, where Darren Motamedy will be the special guest.
Superficially, one tends to overlook the trombone as a blues or rock instrument, but Oxford's
dexterity has helped to change the minds of his fans. Likewise, the tenor is most often linked to jazz combos or big band soloists. Enter Motamedy, whose eloquent, "smooth jazz" statements- suggestive of Kenny G. on steroids- has done his share of conversions.
Hopefully, Oxford and Motamedy will have plenty of stretch-out time together. They have much to say in terms of sharing solos, trading eights and fours, and building on each other's licks. The timbres of the two horns lend themselves to "conversations" in blues and jazz.
"I hope so, too," Motamedy told me by phone. "Randy is a world-class trombonist. In fact, I'm bringing some of my students to Jazzbones that night. (Motamedy spends as much time teaching as he does gigging.) There's one sixth-grader in particular who I'd love to hear play with Randy. It would be such a great learning experience."
It will also be an interesting experience for the fans to hear Motamedy and Oxford together. Oxford brings years of hard jazz and big band experience to his current status as a blues-rock-funk-soul icon. Similarly, Motamedy, who reminded me that "I played in blues bands when I was younger, and I know that blues is the basis of all jazz" has paid his blues dues. Motamedy's smooth jazz popularity has evolved from the not-so-smooth environment of down-home blues.
Also on the bill tonight: the Gunnar Roads Band, about which the genial Sean at Jazzbones pointed out, "everyone in that band is under 18," reinforcing the fact that Wednesday'¢s gig is an "all-ages event." The show runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
[Jazzbones, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m., free, all ages, 2803 Sixth Avenue, Tacoma, 253.396.9169]