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Jazz at Bucks Kicks Off with Ben Schachter and his Trio of Many

By Kimberly Fisher

Centurion Staff

Intense, upbeat, avante garde, strong, powerful, cool, crisp, energetic.  These are just a few of the adjectives that describe the music of Ben Schacter and his Trio of Many.  His performance Friday night kicked off the Jazz at Bucks concert series with a dynamic fusion of popular rhythms and classic jazz.

Schachter and his group took to the stage and wordlessly began to play.  The first song was an intense, crisp composition that demonstrated the group�s desire to incorporate other forms of musical expression into jazz.  The effect was an upbeat, avante garde style of jazz that incorporates elements of R & B, hip-hop, funk and some rock to create a truly unique sound. 

Schachter never introduced his individual pieces.  Instead, he and his fellow musicians would flow from song to song through fantastic instrumental solos.  Bassist Micah Jones illustrated his excellent command with swift and strong strokes of the strings.  Drummer Erik Johnson was so good that he almost seemed to have eight arms.  Without even looking at the drums, he was able to pulsate the music with a moving yet fierce beat.  Schachter had masterful control of the upper and lower ranges of his instrument. When combined, the music became a strong and edgy form of jazz that throbs.  This new, fresh and enjoyable jazz broached all boundaries while remaining true to the soul of jazz.

The band was also swept into the music.  Always moving with the sound, they emulated the expression in the jazz.  The audience was moved, unable to keep from head bobbing or toe tapping.  Like a freight train, the music bowled over the audience with its sheer power and pure tones.

As an audience member, one believes to be a voyeur to a jam session.  The group was tight; always complete and together, never lacking in any area.  They are creative and inventive, rooted in classic jazz, but bold, sassy, and sensual at the same time. 

In the last song, the group was joined by Lawton.  Together, the musicians played an easy, classic jazz piece with sincerity.  Sexy, smooth and powerful, the performance was the perfect ending to a fantastic jazz concert.

�Ben was playing his heart out,� said audience member Quinn Lewis.  �You can�t do that in rock.�

Schachter, Jones, and Johnson have been playing together for a few years and have been one of the jazz groups to diversify into other musical forms.  Drawing upon Johnson�s rock background and Jones� R & B and funk background has contributed to their unique sound, yet all three artists agree on jazz�s importance in music.  The group also agreed that playing in venues outside of typical jazz clubs is essential.

�It�s important for it to be exposed to everybody,� said Jones. �Not many people can go to the clubs in the cities to hear jazz.�

Since jazz is largely an improvisational form of music, live performances are vital to jazz.  Schachter�s live pieces are loosely structured so as to allow the artists the freedom to improvise at will.  

�A majority of the music is always a proportion of prepared music,� said Schachter. �It�s structured for improvisation.�

Schachter is a former Bucks professor and has been recognized by numerous foundations for his work in jazz music, including the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts and the Philadelphia CityPaper.  Johnson has worked with several other artists and is also one of the founding members of the rock band Huffamoose.  Jones is also an electric bassist and is known for his work in R & B and funk, as well as in the jazz field.  The group has released four critically acclaimed albums: Trio of Many, Fractals, Inside Looking Out and the Missing Beloved.

Dr. Allen Hoey, Language and Literature professor and 2001 Bucks County Poet Laureate, opened the concert with a reading of his jazz poetry.  Hoey read five of his poems with accompaniment by jazz guitarist Dr. Michael Hoffman, music professor at Bucks.  His cool, even voice combined with the soft cry of the guitar set the mood for the evening.

Jazz duo Hoffman and jazz pianist Tom Lawton, music professor at both Bucks and Temple University, were the next to perform.  Showcasing five compositions, including �Cycle Built for Two,� a duet based on a revolving pitch cycle, both artists demonstrated their incredible mastery of not only their respective instruments, but also the jazz music.  Each would take time to shine; Hoffman would effortlessly play rifts then turn to the easy scales of the piano.  Lawton played fluently, his hands flying over the keys and bringing the music to life. 

Hoffman�s composition, �Ganymede,� showcased both artists� talent and drew the two instruments into a polished fusion of music and emotion.  Powerful and smooth, it was the archetype of what great jazz should be.

�Sweet Pea Soup�, Hoffman�s tribute to jazz composer Billy Strayhorn, was soulful and wistful, combining slow wails from the guitar with the smooth sound of the sympathetic piano in the background.  Hoffman picked the soul out of the guitar to create an emotional and moving dialogue with the piano and created a fitting tribute to a great composer and one of Duke Ellington�s greatest collaborators.

The Jazz at Bucks concert series continues on Jan. 31, 2003 with the Michael Hoffman Quartet and on April 25, 2003 with the Eric Mintel Quartet.  For more information, call 215-968-8165.