Concert Review – Matthew Yeakley Jazz Session

Introduction

I attended Matthew Yeakley's Jazz Session at The Continental Club. It was a cloudy, cold, dark night, which put me in the mood for being indoors at a jazz event. Yeakley's jazz group consists of Matt on piano, Aaron on drums, Cooper on electric bass, and Mike on trumpet. They all began with improvisations to test their instruments, setting the tone for an evening of musical exploration.

First Impressions

The first song Yeakley played was "It Felt Like a Sunday," which started with a fast-paced piano and drums, with a touch of bass towards the end. At first, I was surprised by how fast jazz can be, because I am used to hearing older jazz, which tends to be slower. The energetic performance was a refreshing change that captivated my attention immediately.

Exploring New Sounds

They then played "Missed It," which began with a beautiful, soothing piano intro, then shifted to Yeakley playing guitar with very light drums. I liked how it had a soft tone at the beginning, but grew in intensity as it progressed, with the drums eventually dominating the song. Most of the audience were in their 30s and 40s, with a few younger people in the crowd. It was a very relaxed atmosphere inside, with everyone in tune and jamming to the rhythms.

Influence of Jazz Legends

As the night progressed, Mike talked about Miles Davis and his influence on him as a trumpeter. He said, "I get chills every time I hear it." Although I haven't listened to much of Miles Davis, I know he was a prominent figure in transforming jazz (Smith, 2020). This reflection added depth to the performance, connecting the past and present of jazz music.

Dynamic Performances

The next song was called "Fitness," which started with soft piano and upright bass, accompanied by light drums. It progressed into a much faster-paced song with saxophone in the background. I really liked this song because it was even faster than the first one they played. It slowed down towards the middle but steadily gained momentum with more bass and drums. The piano really carried most of the song, and this piece gave me the biggest chills out of all three due to the fast-paced, well-balanced melodies (Johnson, 2018).

A Tranquil Yet Energetic Conclusion

The next song, "A Place to Call Home," started off with light drums and saxophone. The piano slowly joined in, but the saxophone was dominant at the beginning. The overall vibe of the song made me feel like it was something I'd listen to while going on an early morning walk by the beach, looking at the ocean. It had a very tranquil feeling, which transitioned into a very energetic guitar towards the end. Aaron and Matt were guided by Yeakley as they progressed throughout the song, adjusting their timing as needed. I liked how the group relied on each other to improvise during moments that called for spontaneity. This song was very different from the rest due to its relaxed melodies. Although "Fitness" remained my favorite, this was definitely my second favorite.

Conclusion

Although I am not used to jazz music, I am glad I was able to expose myself to Yeakley's team's incredible performance. I never thought jazz could evoke feelings in me that I don't normally experience with hip hop and rap music. The passion involved in playing and creating their work was palpable. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience it, as it broadened my musical horizons and deepened my appreciation for jazz as an art form.

References

Johnson, A. (2018). The evolution of jazz: A journey through time. Jazz Times.

Smith, B. (2020). Miles Davis: The legend and his legacy. Music History Review.