Julian Lage Trio

The historic 6th and I Synagogue provided a beautiful setting for a stunning set by Julian Lage and his trio, featuring bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King. Words that come to mind to describe the music: virtuoso, intricate, emotive, warm, engaging. What we all noted after the set was how much fun the band was having, and we were having fun right along with them.

Before the set, I snapped this photo of the wonderous dome above us.

We were seated in the second pew, quite close and could really appreciate the interactions among the musicians. Julian Lage is fun to watch. He smiles a lot at his band mates. He leans into the music. And he also pauses, swinging his arm up or making another large gesture, putting space between one amazing phrase and where he wants to take the music next. The compositions alternative between jazz improvisation and very tight scripted moments, so the music expands and then suddenly contracts. The band also modulates together from loud to whisper quiet almost instantly.

What impressed me the most is the vast number of contrasting textures and tones that Julian Lage under his fingers (without ever once touching a guitar pedal). He can play ridiculously fast runs very quietly. He bend single notes and make his guitar sing the blues. He accompanies himself with chords, and can land a power chord like a rock star. He uses effects like moving a wild vibrato up and down the neck. And he weaves all these textures together very musically, with dozens of textures in play in each minute of music. I can’t think of any other artist who can combine so many kinds of ideas in such a small amount of time, and yet have it all come out as natural and musical.

After such a great set, the audience gave a standing ovation and called for an encore. We were treated to the classic, Blue Bayou, on Julian’s Les Paul guitar.

Before the Julian Lage trio, a young solo artist, Izzy Oram Brown opened the show. Although her sing-songwriter tunes were pleasant, they were a bit sleep-inducing and after a while, all sounded the same.

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