There’s no debating that young trumpeter Christian Scott is a master
technician. He can mimic the sound of a saxophone or a human wail and
use the half-valve technique for whole phrases. Nowhere is Scott’s
talent more apparent than on his new CD and DVD set, Live at
Newport, recorded in August at the JVC Jazz Festival in Rhode
Island. Though the set repurposes a couple tunes from Scott’s 2007
album, Anthem, most of the material is new, and much of it
sounds better-crafted and more deliriously romantic than his last
record. His new compositions blend downtown jazz with industrial indie
rock, creating a sound palette that’s darkly emotional, but also quite
accessible.
“Died in Love,” which kicks off the set, has a very simple form (the
chords aggregate and smear over a doleful melodic line), but it
highlights Scott’s ability as a soloist. “James Crow Jr. Esq.” revolves
around a bewitching theme that guitarist Matt Stevens introduces at the
beginning. It’s the album’s hookiest song but in a real shifty way,
since the melody sounds bleak and not conventionally beautiful.
Live caps off with “Rewind That,” a free-form tune that allows
Scott’s band to drift into psychedelia.
A lot of credit goes to Parks and drummer Jamire Williams for
creating the mood and atmosphere of the album. Williams’ bustling
rhythms give the songs a contemporary edge, and Parks recycles some of
his own innovations — like laying down an eighth-note rhythm in
octaves. (“James Crow Jr., Esq.” sounds uncannily Aaron Parks-ish).
Still, Live at Newport reveals how dramatic Scott can be in a
live performance. That’s obviously his greatest asset. (Concord)
