Leon
“Foster” Thomas and Crew Live at Club Bonafide - a Total “Metamorphosis”
The ‘eyes’ tell the story of an outstanding performance by panist
New York, USA - Leon “Foster” Thomas is the consummate artist. He has and continues to deliver the trifecta of the performing arts (create, perform and record) with distinction.
Leon “Foster” Thomas at Club Bonafide
Earlier this year Thomas released his latest musical creation, the CD Metamorphosis, to rave reviews. This past weekend, WST (When Steel Talks) got an opportunity to experience a live hearing of some of the tracks from Metamorphosis as Thomas performed at Club Bonafide in New York. If you were present, you were treated to one of those special moments that top-class musicians both experience themselves, while simultaneously creating an enclave that can only be described as ‘magical.’ The musicians were entertaining each other, and by default the audience was brought into these sometimes deeply personal, extraordinary conversational pieces, that were filled with intimate introspective expression.
Club Bonafide, located on East 52nd Street in the city provides a small and inviting space that allows the audience to watch and listen to the performing artist without any intrusion. And yes, we are talking about the same East 52nd Street that was the stomping ground to past jazz greats like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie “Bird” Parker, Max Roach, Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Monk, Ella Fitzgerald and the likes, and where they gave legendary performances.
Leon “Foster” Thomas and Crew at Club Bonafide
Beyond being an outstanding talent—similar to many other exceptional musicians—the audacity to be great swims in Leon’s belly and this is what separates him from so many others. Moreover he is not afraid to share his lessons of life through his music with us.
The Show
As we said earlier this was an exceptional concert. What was striking here were the super-honest and intense expressions communicated with stories, that were told through the eyes of those present - musician to musician, audience to musician, musicians to audience and audience to audience. “That was nasty!” - “Did you hear that?” - “Lord, have mercy!” - “Jesus!” - “Um, um um...”
Leon “Foster” Thomas and Crew at Club Bonafide
Benny Bennack, III, on flugelhorn
Leon opened the show with the group performing pianist Tal Cohen’s arrangement, and an engaging rendition, of “Nardis” by Miles Davis. You don’t have to be a degree candidate in music to quickly realize that Tal Cohen is a special talent that comes along only so often. This was followed by “Midnight Refrain,” the first cut from the CD performed on this night. What was really cool, was watching these high-caliber musicians truly enjoying the performance by Leon on tenor. Drummer Michael Piolet was featured; this cat is a bad, bad man. That was followed by “Gulf Of Paria” with Benny Bennack, III, on flugelhorn - a very thought-provoking peace that clearly moved the audience.
Through “In the Corner” Leon lets us into a pensive period in his life; as he shared with those present, it was a very dark moment in his life and indeed written literally ‘in the corner.’ In this performance, Leon gives a beautiful, textbook execution of stating a melody on a tenor with maximum expression. Something very few can accomplish successfully; at least not without an exceptional understanding and command of the steelpan instrument. It’s not about patterns and scales for this panist - he has something serious to convey to the audience.
Pianist Tal Cohen, with Benny Bennack, III, looking on
And then there was “Cry of Hope,” the set-closer that was simply off the hook. Opening with a middle eastern musical refrain - Leon sets up the canvas and then things got madd crazy as he and fellow musicians moved into another realm. The combination of Pan, Sax, Trumpet, Guitar, Piano, Bass and Drums brought many colors into this conversation - but it was the way these great musicians rhythmically and melodically challenged and supported each other that presented a phenomenal sonic experience.
As veteran panist and pan music connoisseur “Hueloy” Lila Yip Young told WST, “This type of venue (Bonafide) is the best place to hear this music.” Indeed, by the middle of the set both audience and musicians were airborne on a fantastic journey - destination unknown, direction unknown - as the real-time vibes were the compass, impetus and fuel for this musical expedition under the direction and control of Leon “Foster” Thomas. And in this regard Leon is an excellent musical director. He reminds one of the old-school band leaders - keeping order, while never restricting the natural flow or tendencies of the musicians as individuals to challenge and explore the edge, or of the group itself to create something spontaneous and magical (as they did many times throughout the set). And at the same time, this septet of musicians locked so tight, it is hard to believe that this was the first time this crew had come together in this amalgamation. There was an obvious admiration and mutual respect for each other’s musicianship, as they looked on approvingly when others were the featured players at various points. All eyes were on Leon when he delved deeply within his tenor, while Leon himself was fixated on his crew when they “threw down.”
Leon “Foster” Thomas and Crew at Club Bonafide
The only downside of the event is that it had to end, and furthermore it was only a one-night engagement. Now that was straight-up criminal. Big Up to Club Bonafide for providing a venue for this group. A return engagement of Leon and crew to the Big Apple is mandatory. Don’t pass on catching a live performance of this musician and his ensemble. You will not be disappointed. In the meantime make sure you have a copy of the CD Metamorphosis.
The Musicians
Drummer Michael Piolet
It is very clear that ‘scrubs’ need not apply if you are going to gig with Thomas. The musicians in this band were marvelous. In conversation with WST, Leon “Foster” Thomas shared valuable insight into the background of these musicians and their relationship. The following is directly from Thomas:
“Michael Piolet (Drummer) is the only person from the album who was available to continue to New York from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the previous weekend. Mike is originally from Chicago, but now lives in Miami after attending college at the UM (University of Miami). We’ve been playing together constantly for the past 2 years.
“Josh Allen (Bass) also a UM graduate, is well known as part of the Grammy-nominated band “The Negroni Trio.” He just got married and moved to NY from Miami.
“Marvin Dolly (Guitar) is a hidden gem from Barataria, Trinidad. He played throughout the soca scene with the band Atlantik, now lives in Brooklyn, and is doing some serious work on the NY jazz scene.
Marvin Dolly on Guitar
“As for my two horn players:
“Adam Larson (Tenor Saxophone) - originally from Normal, Illinois, and; Benny Bennack III, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both are now living in NY. We were finalists of the National YoungArts Foundation in 2009, of which I was their Jazz Discipline Coordinator (DC of Jazz). “The National YoungArts Foundation identifies and nurtures the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts and assists them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development.” (Youngarts.org)
“I have known them both as first semester freshmen, and am so happy and proud to see how well they are both doing.
“Adam, though, is one of the most gifted musicians around and is getting a lot more notoriety with his latest release “Selective Amnesia”.”
After their set at Club Bonafide; left to right: Tal Cohen, Benny Bennack, III, Adam Larson, Marvin Dolly, bassist Josh Allen, Leon “Foster” Thomas and Michael Piolet
