Search - Mulgrew Miller :: Live at Kennedy Center 2

In the fall of 2002, the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.) opened an intimate venue, The KC Jazz Club, on the roof level of its facility. The Club celebrated its opening with two weekends of selected MAXJAZZ artists. The highly acclaimed pianist, Mulgrew Miller, and his trio featuring Derrick Hodge (b) and Rodney Green (d) were the featured performers on the Club's opening night, Thursday, September 5, 2002. MAXJAZZ is proud to present the second of two sets from that magical evening recorded by the late David Baker. Volume Two begins with Miller's intro on his composition Song For Darnell, written for his son. It doesn't take long for the trio to pick up where they left off in the first set. The trio moves through the composition with great energy highlighted by the sparkle of Miller's playing and Hodge's impressive solo. Grew's Tune by Miller is a hard-swinging song that contains intricate runs by Miller squeezed in between some robust chords and phrases that have his signature stamp. Green's steady ride keeps the group moving forward with great drive. Miller's intro on his composition Farewell To Dogma slows the pace. He and Hodge then offer compelling solos on this intricate piece. The standard Old Folks by Hill and Robison showcases a wonderful intro by Miller on this exquisite version of the classic ballad. The evening comes to a close with Miller's composition Eleventh Hour. The first five minutes feature Miller playing a soulful blues solo before the trio joins in and burns to an exciting finish.