CONCERT REVIEW:

They said I was crazy for going but I didn’t care. Any opportunity to see William Parker outside of NYC and within an hour’s drive is worth the trip…blizzard or not I went. Mullenberg College’s (Allentown PA) Performing Arts Center is a wonder in architecture and the small theater had excellent acoustics. The hall itself had large  collection of student artwork that rivaled any Philly First Friday. Before the music started it was announced the program would be condensed into one set versus two due to snow storm. They played one, long, 45 minute uninterrupted improvisational piece during which the audience was entranced. Not a single listener moved, spoke, or tried to take a picture during the performance. The encore was a too brief additional piece of improvisation (less than 10 minutes in length). Parker favored playing a kora, a West African stringed instrument, and a wooden flute but he also played bass. I was not familiar with the other musicians except percussionist Tatsuya Nakatan, who plays Philly & NYC often enough and would require a lengthy explanation to describe what he does…simply stated- nobody else is doing it. Gary Hassay, sax & harmonic vocalist, think Tibetan monk throat singers, was a new discovery to my ears. I liked him. He’s on my list now of folks to watch out for. Same goes for reed player David Liebman who has recorded with Miles Davis. It may have taken William Parker to get me off the sofa but now I know there is a scene up the PA Turnpike’s Northeast  Extension waiting to be discovered. I hope this scene utilizes social media to get the word out and I hope they do some Philly gigs. The musicianship was top notch.