By Mike Fordham
The New York City-based jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood has played all over the Big Apple throughout their career. From headlining small clubs to opening for other artists in theaters, Medeski, Martin & Wood’s been there and back. However, the group probably has never played at a hotel.
The Hilton Hotel in Times Square brought out the eclectic jazz group as part of the Home Technology Expo. The performance itself was a benefit for terminally ill children. High rollers from the Expo, along with jazz enthusiasts and jamband fans, dotted the audience.
Medeski, Martin & Wood is known for its avant-garde and improvisational take on jazz. This is why the band has been embraced by the jamband scene, as well as attracting more traditional jazz fans. The music journey that was Medeski, Martin & Wood’s set certainly proved that the group doesn’t pigeonhole itself into one genre. Over the course of the mammoth two-hour set, Medeski, Martin & Wood’s musical journey included forays into rock, funk and even Caribbean jazz.
The performance started off on a rough patch. The trio sounded disjointed and uncoordinated, as if trying to find their groove. Eventually, the band got itself together and launched into its signature eclectic sound. Percussionist Billy Martin pounded away on his kit, evoking a very steely sound, as if banging on pots and pans. He later employed a variety of bells, rattles and cymbals that showed this isn’t any sort of traditional jazz music. Using his keyboards and organ, John Medeski evoked a very rich sound, while also creating sounds that bordered on turntable scratching.
As with any great group of skilled musicians, Medeski, Martin & Wood wove their instruments together. Rather than stop between songs, the band fluidly transitioned from one tune to the next. Even though each member appeared to be off in his own world, enjoying a personal groove, the band brought it all back together with a casual demeanor. In fact, the show was more like an extended jam session that just happened to have an audience.
When Medeski, Martin & Wood fired on all cylinders, the result was pure magic. Chris Wood’s snaky bass and Medeski’s keys bolstered the performance, making the set jaw-dropping at times. The band’s penchant for lengthy, funky grooves got many teens dancing and doing a conga line. As the night wore on, however, the indulgent jams became uninteresting. A willingness to experiment is never a bad thing, but the group’s tendency for repetition and endless noodling lost much of the crowd later in the evening.
Watching an entirely instrumental set is no easy task. Patience is required by the listener to even withstand such a task. It takes even more patience to truly appreciate and enjoy the performance. While Medeski, Martin & Wood’s set wasn’t entirely without flaws, anyone who watched the show came away with a memorable experience.