With a diverse range of musical preferences, from classical to rap, I have been to many concerts in my life, mainly symphony bands. Surprisingly though, I have never had the opportunity to experience jazz music or go to a jazz concert before. This lack of exposure has made it difficult for me to decide which jazz concert would bring me the most enjoyment and excitement. To resolve this dilemma, I researched various jazz concert listings and ultimately chose the Ron Eschete Trio Concerts as my top pick. The deciding factors behind this choice were its proximity to my house and the added bonus of being free. Compared to all the other concerts I’ve attended so far, the Ron Eschete Trio concert offered a completely unique atmosphere. Finally, on February 23, 2001, I got the chance to attend a concert at the Ahmanson Building in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art featuring Ron Eschete on seven-string guitar, Todd Johnson on six-string bass, and Paul Humphrey on drums.
The concert started at 5:30 and ended at 8:30, lasting for a total of three hours. Although I arrived late due to confusion with the venue location, I discovered that the concert was originally scheduled for Times Mirror Central Court but was actually taking place on the lower level of the Ahmnson Building. Upon entering, it became apparent that the atmosphere was different from what I had anticipated based on previous concerts. Unlike larger shows I had been to in the past, this jazz concert had a more intimate setting with approximately one hundred attendees. The overall vibe was relaxed and comfortable, unlike anything I had experienced before. Most people were casually dressed in jeans and shirts while the musicians were wearing suits, creating an interesting contrast for me. Another surprise was the diversity of the audience; it consisted of young children and senior citizens from various cultures. Moreover, their reactions and engagement during the performances by the musicians captured my attention.
The audience at the concert was largely engaged in lively conversation, drinking alcohol, and snacking. Some members of the audience also showed enthusiasm by clapping and humming along with the music. This was a stark contrast to my previous concert experiences where the audience was more reserved. The noise from the crowd sometimes made it difficult to hear the songs being performed. Interestingly, the musicians seemed unaffected by this noise and played as if they were incorporating it into their music. They adjusted their volume accordingly, playing softly when the crowd quieted down and increasing their intensity when it became louder. Perhaps this was an attempt to capture the attention of the audience, as I perceived it as them harmonizing with voices from the crowd. Additionally, I noticed that people were entering and leaving during the concert while the musicians were on stage. This kind of behavior would not be considered acceptable at other concerts I have attended, but it appeared to go unnoticed at this jazz performance.
The class included a performance of various jazz songs, like “Groovin high” by Dizzy Gillespie, “Koko” by Charlie Parker, “Misterioso” by Monk, and “Jeru” by Miles Davis. These songs showcased instruments such as trumpet, saxophone, drums, and bass. Thus, I expected to see saxophone and trumpet players on stage. However, to my surprise, the Ron Eschete Trio consisted only of guitarists and drummers. As someone who usually associates guitars with rock musicians, I was curious to hear how an electric guitar would sound playing jazz music.
When the music started playing, I was impressed with the electric guitar’s versatility in producing a wide range of sounds. Ron Eschete demonstrated exceptional skill in creating diverse tones that at times resembled those made by a tenor saxophone or piano. Overall, their music had a gentle and calming quality.
Despite its fast tempo, the song had a calming and tender quality that impressed the audience. Throughout the concert, I observed that the musicians communicated with each other through physical gestures instead of words or visuals. By nodding their heads and tapping their feet together, they created a bond that was rooted in feeling the rhythm of the music. Additionally, their solos often started from a shared note, which further emphasized this sense of unity between sections. The Ron Eschete Trio concerts were similar to bop bands in terms of group size (two guitarists and a drummer) and speed overall. However, their performances leaned more towards cool jazz as they utilized smoother and interconnected rhythms compared to the varied and disjointed rhythms commonly found in bop music.
In addition, the band performed songs featuring guitars, an instrument rarely heard in bop. While there are various genres that fall under the umbrella term of jazz, there are two common elements shared by most jazz styles. One of these is improvisation, the act of composing and performing simultaneously. The Ron Eschete Trio certainly showcased their improvisational skills throughout the concert. Each song felt unique, with its own distinct style infused into it. This was particularly evident during the solo sections, where Ron Eschete and Todd Johnson demonstrated the range of pitches they could achieve. Their solo styles differed, with Ron Eschete incorporating a mix of high and low pitch sounds in an irregular manner, reminiscent of Monk’s style. On the other hand, Todd Johnson’s rhythm and tone were smoother and closer together, giving off a cool jazz vibe.
The concert featured a contagious swing feeling that compelled the audience to dance, clap their hands, or tap their feet. I observed heads bobbing and feet tapping to the Ron Eschete Trio’s fast tempo, despite its smooth and mellow sound. Attending a jazz concert allowed me to fully experience a distinctive atmosphere. I enjoyed the relaxed and laid-back ambiance of the concert but was disappointed by the excessive noise from the audience during performances. The music style of the Ron Eschete Trio differed from what I had anticipated, yet I valued its combination of modernity and elements reminiscent of early Jazz.
