Leading his Special Edition ensemble, Dejohnette has gone on to receive countless music awards, including 14 from Downbeat magazine alone. His precise, powerful performances are charged with an abundant sense of rhythm and performance flair.
Critics compare Dejohnette's percussion style with other jazz drummers, concluding that his performances are not a gymnastic feat, or a game meant to display his stunning skills. Rather, he expertly uses the cymbals to create space, which other musicians may fill with graceful improvisational melodies. This has given him the reputation as the lead instrumentalist's best friend. Keith Jarrett, for example, has long chosen Dejohnette over any other drummer.
This year, Dejohnette will appear on the same stage with pianist Mike Del Ferro, who gave Taiwan an incomparably surprising, captivating show at last year's event.
For those who miss the two concerts, there is still a lot of jazz to experience during the jazz festival. A jazz exhibition is on from now to next Saturday (Aug 28) at the library of the CKS Cultural Center (next to the ticket booth of National Concert Hall) with more than 200 jazz CDs available for free listening. Every evening there is a film-screening session, showing concerts of great jazz performers. Participants in the exhibition will also have a chance to win the special recording CD of the 2004 Summer Jazz Festival.
Performance Notes of Summer Jazz Festival
What: Joe Lovano and Bill Mays Trio
When: 7:30pm, today
Where: National Concert Hall
Details: Saxophone: Joe Lovano; piano: Bill Mays; bass: Lin Wei-sheng; drums: Lewis Nash
Tickets: NT$400 to NT$2,500, available at CKS ticketing outlets www.artsticket.com.tw
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