Kenny Garrett Quartet Review

**Gary Husband** · August 23rd, 2005, 04:34 PM

I would like to put my vote in for Ronald Bruner Jr.

I had the pleasure of witnessing this young man in full flight at London's Ronnie Scott's recently, and I can honestly say Ron is one of the most inspired, genuinely creative and exhilarating young musicians I have heard in a long time. He possesses wonderful command, unbelievable facility, feeling, imagination, passion and incredible verve. It was a pure delight to discover him, hear him and later (in the evening) meet him.

I can only suggest, if he comes anywhere near any of you with this current Garrett quartet line-up GO SEE HIM.

Ronald is just amazing.

Best wishes to all here,

GH

**got_a_matchgrip** · August 24th, 2005, 02:19 AM

Someone had posted an mp3 w RBJ a while back, something about "Spider Walk?"... [img]wink.gif[/img] Anyway, i hadn't yet heard his playing, but i thought he did great on the track. [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

**S.P** · August 24th, 2005, 02:59 AM

Yeah someone posted something of his a while ago!

But damn, the guy could swing, lay down a fat ass pocket...and his solos were really...he left lots of space and he was doing some new things...he actually reminds me a bit of that thomas Pridgen guy...saw some of the same licks there but Ron had more groove and passion...i dunno...just more feeling to everything he was doing!

And when they left him alone at the end!!!! Damn he didn't like just start soloing..he cooked up a funk groove for us to clap along that was soooooo funky that i could have gotten up and started dancing! For sure check him out! He can't be that bad after what Gary said about him :wink:

**S.P** · August 24th, 2005, 03:39 AM

Hey guys,

Well this monday the 22nd of august, things got hot here in hong kong again. I attend the first of a string of shows in hong Kong. The first was obviously the subject of this thread which will be followed by Gordon Goodwinds Big Phat Band (feat bernie dresel on drums and eric marienthal on sax), the trio toykeat from finland and finally a simon philips drum clinic. Thats probably all that we will get until late in the year.

Anyways the quartet featured what seemed to be a coup[le of young guys: Calos Mkinney on piano and Ron Bruner Jr. on drums. On the Bass was Nat Reeves and on Sax of ourse, Kenny Garrett.

The concert started with just the 3 sidemen coming out and they seemed to sit there for a long time before kenny came out. Ron was atking pictures of the audience and laughing out loud for no apparent reason! Maybe he was just happy to be there!

Anyways! The first tune was frickin Swinging!!!! It was basically the only jazz tunes they did. this featured solo spots by everyone including a trading solo between the band and Ron. He was awesome! He did seem though, to unecesarily start fidling around with things, putting sticks in his mouth and armpit etc which i thought was a lil unprofessional! Maybe i am nobody to judge...maybe it was for a ligit reason and something was wrong!

The rest of the tunes were mostly funk/jazz/smooth jazz tunes and man Ron laid down a fat pocket!!!!

there was a long sax and piano duet and then another couple of tunes...one featuring some "singing" by kenny. (mainly just saying..a tic toc..a don't stop..what?...i cant hear you?...say what?)

Finally, the band was outroduced one by one and kenny went off 2nd last...leaving Ron on stage alone!

Man!!! He cooked up a beat and just kept it there...had us all clapping along..then he took a bit of a solo...cooked it up a bit more !!! then bam he was off!

Oveall...although i only really enjoyed the first tune! Ron's pocket was cooking! He has a young spirit and an attitude that reflects that, his playing of course was highly technical but he could groove..cook...swing or anything!!!

After the show i waited till most audience was gone and he was taking his cymbals down and went up onto the stage just to say thanks and to let him know i really enjoyed his playing!!! I know that i would like to know if ppl enjoyed my playing so i make it a point to let ppl know whenever i can!

Hope this review did something for you guys!!

Good stuff and expect more from me!

btw i was really surprised at the youngness of the band!! They were still great though!