Kenny Garrett at Blues Alley

Kenny Garrett and his quintet took the stage at Blues Alley and immediately blasted off into a fiery, postbop crescendo with a driving rhythm with all the sounds a saxophone can muster. After this excursion, the group settled into a series of relatable, danceable grooves that engaged the crowd. The duo of Rudy Bird and Ronald Bruner Jr on percussion and drums were a highlight. Ronald is a 100,000 ton locomotive of pulse — tight, driving, and defining the bands’ sound. Rudy overlaid complex texture. The overall effect was grooving and celebratory.

Audrey and I met for drinks and dinner with Kirk, Randi, Jessica and Cesar. We had a perfect corner nook and had a great time catching up and hanging out. We enjoyed singing along and clapping when Garrett beckoned the audience to do so.

Blues Alley was honoring the Miles Davis Centennial, and Kenny Garrett incorporated Miles quotes into his solo. For example, he ended one tune with Jean Pierre.

He closed with “Happy People” and that’s how we left, as Happy People!

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