Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood are simply the best jazz musicians in the business. When those guys catch a beat in the pocket, there’s no telling what will happen, but it’s guaranteed to be thoroughly captivating.
Now, I’ve written many concert reviews, and they generally follow a chronological pattern. Start the narrative with the opener, mention some highlights throughout the sets, and wrap it up with some concluding thoughts. However, when it comes to concert classification, MSMW is in a league of their own. Most bands rely on various tactics to gain a following, but MSMW is a band that doesn’t need anything but musicianship. Hell, they don’t even have a band name.
So let’s talk about these four musicians.
John Medeski is unassumingly powerful, blaring organ and keyboard and piano throughout the room. He’s innately groovy, picking up on the rhythm and hammering it out on the ivories. When he takes the lead, Medeski really shines. He can command a melody, working around a progression and bringing the jam to another level. His demeanor is nonchalant, but his technique is anything but. When it comes to MSMW’s experimental jazz, Medeski leads the charge, and it’s stunning.
Periodically contributing to the traditional Medeski Martin and Wood trio, master jazz guitarist John Scofield is indescribably seasoned at his craft. His fingers roam the guitar neck fludily, dripping into uncharted tones yet never getting lost along the way. The level at which he plays is unparalleled, and his full-bodied tone is certainly a welcomed addition to the band’s funky sound. The man knows exactly when to delve into the experimental, and exactly when to bring the music back to a familiar groove. Watching him is astonishing.
Perhaps the best analogy for Billy Martin’s drummer is that of a baseball team’s catcher. The catcher faces his whole team, ultimately orchestrating the entire team’s efforts. To this effect, when Martin is behind the kit, he’s the man in control. Keeping time with ease, Martin can veer the band in any direction, and often takes them through elaborate rhythmic endeavors. He’s a pleasure to watch, bringing a powerful enthusiasm to every song. Not to mention his mother, Jean Martin, who appeared in the band’s music video for “Juicy Lucy” from their latest album Juice, and who also appeared on stage Thursday night with her dance partner to accompany the musicians. Jean is an 81-year-old former-Rockette, and she’s still got the moves!
Last but not least, bassist Chris Wood, who has recently gained fame for his Americana group, The Wood Brothers. The seasoned veteran handles the bass with pride, bouncing out funky rhythmic melodies with style. He can carry the music by himself, or steer his melodic collaborators into uncharted territory. He also frequently switches between an electric bass and a stand-up acoustic instrument, playing both with thorough technical ability. Wood keeps the band grounded, ably uniting the band’s rhythm and melodic portions, anchoring the band’s experimental sections with precision. It’s just awesome.
All in all, this band played an incredible show. With selections from their new album Juice [check out the review here], including “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Light My Fire,” Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood demonstrated their insane musical abilities. All four of these musicians are at the top of their game, and when they come together to perform, the result is simply mesmerizing. When this group comes to town, see them.
I’ll leave you with some footage from an old show, so you can enjoy some MSMW too:
-David Melamed (@DMelamz)