Jing Chi Concerts!!!!!!

[beat Hit]

Vinnie is playing with the Jing Chi Project. Here are the dates and venues. Can anyone living in the area go and give HOD a report?? It is featuring Jimmy Haslip on bass, Robben Ford on guitar and the awesome Otmaro Ruiz on keys.

Dec 9
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Santa Cruz
320-2 Center Street
831-427-2227

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Dec 10-15
Yoshi's
Oakland
510 Embarcadero West
510-238-9200

Please try to attend and let us know!!! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Ciao,

[FuseU1]

[addendum]: Make that - "PLEASE TRY TO RECORD IT & LET US KNOW[!!!]" [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 10, 2002 12:49 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[beat Hit]

Went to Robben Ford's site and found this, I tought it would be a good "bait" for those sitting on the fence as far as to go or not to go, I mean those living close enough to Yoshi's Oakland... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

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"I was at table 3 for both shows last night!

Table 3 was front row, right in front of Robben (5 feet away from Robben) and his rig, just slightly off the speaker. I was catching the Robben Dumble tone right off the speakers.....very nice!

I was able to roll off a few photos before the first show of Robben's rig and one of his guitars. Then the Yoshi's manager made it clear that no photos would be allowed during the show......%$$#%^&&*** I will post shortly!

What is the big deal with taking a few photos of a band or player, that you really like, for your own personal use? PLEASE this is not to start a huge debate...it just pisses me off! OK I'm over it!

onward.......

If you liked Robben back in the early days of the Yellowjackets, you will love Jing Chi! Jing Chi is not about song writing or the blues or pretty singing. Jing Chi is about "playing a lot" and "stretching out!" Jing Chi is four equally monster players jamming in a poly-rhythmic blend of Jazz, Blues, R&B, Funk, and Fusion.... I hate categories and Jing Chi defies categorization...4 players playing their asses off!

I love Robben's song writing and his blues playing as much as anyone, but, if you can play like Robben, you got to "stretch out" and "play a lot!" More Jing Chi PLEASE!

Thank you Jimmy Haslip for getting Robben to do this! I actually thank him personally while I was there.

Back to the Band and the show...Vinnie Colaiuta is truly amazing on drums. He sounds like at least 2 drummers at once. His dynamics, technique, and feel in this setting is special. Every tune has rock solid rhythmic peaks and valleys. And when Vinnie builds to the climax of soloist's solo it's just ridiculous. He's a monster!

Jimmy lays down just killer grooves and is locked in with Vinnie - what a rhythm section! Truly anybody could play with that rhythm section and sound amazing! Then there's Jimmy's solos. He scats along as he improvises singing every note. His solos are not like the usual bass solos at all...he's playing like sax bop lines with amazing chops and serious altered tensions and singing the lines at the same time! Go Jimmy!

Next up is guest artist Otmaro Ruiz. He fits right in with very tasty sythn sounds and keys. His rhythm playing just complemented the whole sound of the band. But man can he play blazing solos! His solos would just keep building and building and building!

Finally, there was the man Robben (I'm just a blues player) Ford. I was at his clinic Saturday and he kept saying hey I'm just a blues player that does a couple of other things.

Modest Robben I have some news for you, you are a monster fusion player! I truly love your singing, song writing, and blues playing, but you have to keep playing this kind of music! Not to mention he looked like he was having a blast!

The band smokes all night and Robben plays his ass off. BTW the CD smokes too. Also, I heard they are recording a live Jing Chi CD this week while at Yoshi's. YES! "

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Heee Haaaa HOD!!! Can't wait for the Live CD to come out!!!! ..... Can't you.... [img]wink.gif[/img]

Ciao,

[Derek DeFields]

sup guys. Just got back in from Oakland.

Went to Yoshi's Friday and Saturday both sets. Friday night was absolutely INSANE. 2nd set was probably the best I've ever heard Vinnie live or recorded.

Sat was not happening at all for some reason. Not sure what was up. Sounded like Otmaro or Jimmy might have been having some problems.

They announced repeatedly that they were recording (everything on vinnie's kit was double mic'd. 2 per tom, snare etc) and that the album would be out in the Spring.

I have no idea if these guys are going to keep gigging. My guess is probably not, but if they do show up near you, I HIGHLY recommend this. Live, this is simply as good as you could possible imagine Vinnie getting.

As an aside, if someone did record the Friday gig, please get in touch with me at [email protected]. I noticed plenty of bootleggers so I know there are tapes out there.

[beat Hit]

Thanks Derek!!!

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