IN the mid-sixties Gary Burton – tall, long-haired and dressed in buckskins, broke away from the sober-suited side of jazz.
Not only did he revolutionise vibes playing, using four mallets instead of two, he introduced vital country and rock influences, courtesy of a career which began at Nashville.
And now here he was, at 70, exuding the same amazing skill and musical joy de vivre, which have seen him partner the like of Pat Methany, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett.
A vibes/guitar led quartet has always been his natural habitat, and this one featuring Julian Lage is a cracker.
On this, the first gig of a long tour, they began very conventionally.
But Lage's extended introduction to My Funny Valentine showcased his liquid gold tone and flair for building structure. The old master had returned.
Burton as ever sounding like two vibes players, with Lage equally impressive.
Bassist Scott Colley contributed a ruggedly logical solo to his own composition Never the Same Way.
On I Hear a Rhapsody he and his equally potent rhythm partner drummer Antonio Sanchez duet-ed. And in a later solo Sanchez, mixed dramatic shows of technique with quieter intervals.
The phenomenal interplay and understanding between the two lead players was less featured than usual.
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