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Reinventing jazz for a modern age
Topics: Modern Jazz Trio, Bakotopia, Bakersfield, Jay Smith, Fernando Montoya, Jonathan Martinez, music, csub
Posted by Sjaime17 Tue Feb 3, 2009 10:37:31 PST
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0 responses 2 comments Location: 1517 18th st., Bakersfield, CA 93301

Reinventing jazz for a modern age
Local trio looks to bring Bako jazz scene back to life & into the clubs

By Sam Jaime, Bakotopia.com contributor

Riding with Modern Jazz Trio pianist Jay Smith to rehearsal was an adventure in itself.

It was an ordeal just to get there on time through the bustle of the afternoon hustle, which is what Bakersfield streets are around 4 o’clock. This drive bred conversations of great expectations within Jay’s own community.

Helping to lay the ground work to reinvigorate the local jazz scene outside of the scholastic realm and back into the clubs where jazz music was created.

Appearing live with local ska jazzers - Mento Buru,at Fishlips, 1517 18th St., on Feb. 7, at 9 p.m. – as well as the CSUB Jazz Coffeehouse and Dagny’s Coffeehouse, among other locations throughout the coming months - Smith took sometime from his daily shuffle to get Bakersfield further acquainted with his musical mission:

Q: Where do you see The Modern Jazz Trio in six months? 

JS: I think, ultimately, our group can be the catalyst for a much larger jazz scene here in town. I’ve been doing my own part, the group aside, by mentoring younger jazz musicians at the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop, as well as finding venues that haven’t even considered supporting jazz in the past, to support us now and in the future.

Q: What do you feel sets you apart from other groups in your genre?

JS:  The biggest thing that sets us apart is that we aren’t locked into a genre. What I mean is, while we are a progressive jazz ensemble, we are completely comfortable incorporating funk, hip-hop, r&b, and other styles into our music. Fernando Montoya (acoustic and electric bass) is a rock bassist who started playing jazz; Jonathan (Martinez, drums) plays gospel in church aside from our group and others. I, myself, who play keys and synth in the band now, started out playing classical piano and switched over to jazz about eight years ago.

Q: If the reader could take away any one thing from this article about The Modern Jazz Trio, what would you want it to be?

JS: I would hope that people would realize that for us, our goal is to bring a better understanding and awareness of what jazz really means in the time that we’re living in.



We arrived some 10 minutes later (exactly on time) to the rehearsal site, Jay wearing his long coat, leading the way up to the building’s entrance. Once inside, amidst posters of John Lennon and walls adorned with beautiful paintings of many colors and vibrant ideas, I could feel the energy mounting as the three gathered around their respective tools of their trade.

The room screamed expression with instruments of all sorts set up beneath the microphones hanging from the rafters above.
 
The band warmed up, breezing skillfully through some jams. At once, I could sense a change in the room. I had decided then and there that this was something to behold. The power of their warm-ups alone seemed epic and full.

Once the actual concert material came into play, two things became apparent within their smooth, easy flowing mastery of such a technically rigorous genre.

Firstly, these guys are an amazingly musical force to be reckoned with, churning around soulful drums, precise keys and a lush walking bass line.

Secondly, given the attitudes some people seem to have about jazz, I must say, although echoes of Coltrane and the energy of Miles Davis resound throughout the group, this is not your grandmother’s jazz.

This is a fresh, appealing beast in both vigor and style. Ultimately, there is no doubt in my mind the extent of this group, The Modern Jazz Trio, will only be limited by their own desires.

Be on the lookout for upcoming shows by visiting them online:

www.bakotopia.com/users/ModernJazzTrio

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 47, 2-5-09

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Comment From: matt

Great article, man!! Thanks! Comment From: soulajarmusic

Great article, very well written. I wish there could be more of this style of writing/critique/review happening around here. Local writers ussually only take the time to state the obvious and hardly attend a rehearsal to delve into what makes the band a band. This makes me happy! Great band too.--