Project Bop Astral Project Offers An Extremely Polished, Urbane Sound That Satisfies Both Occasional Jazz Fans And Die-Hards

Thu., April 20, 2000

William Berry Correspondent

This year you can celebrate Earth Day with some out-of-this-world jazz. Astral Project, “one of the most distinctive and cohesive quintets in jazz of the ‘90s” according to Downbeat magazine, will appear at Spokane Falls Community College on Saturday night.

Although the group has been around for more than 20 years, Astral Project is not a household word. This is certainly not because of the quality of its performance; it is probably due more to the fact that its music can’t be pigeonholed.

This New Orleans group has even won awards for its anonymity, including third place in Downbeat’s 1999 critic’s poll for Acoustic Group Deserving Wider Recognition.

Its latest recording, last year’s “Voodoo Bop,” presents the quintet as extremely polished and urbane, sounding like one mind driving five instruments. “Tightly woven” sums up this album, the group’s second for Compass Records.

There is only one standard on the disc; the rest are original compositions, representing work by four of the five members. It is modern, without a doubt, with some pretty free-form moments scattered here and there among the tonal adventures, but there are plenty of introspective passages as well.

Astral Project is about making music together and connecting with the audience, not proving that any one of the five could be the leader and driving force of any other group - although that certainly is the case. While each is obviously a star performer, composer and improviser, you never get the sense that any chart is a star vehicle with someone longing for the spotlight.

Back in the ‘70s, the band had a nightly gig at a place called the Absinthe House on New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. In those days, an unknown Bobby McFerrin was looking for a gig and asked to sit in on vocals. The group got back together with the now-famous vocal magician for a tour last year after running into him again in Minnesota. McFerrin fit into the now world-traveled group just like old times.

With friends like those, it’s easy to see why these guys are worthy of a listen by more than just die-hard jazz fans.

This sidebar appeared with the story: IN CONCERT Astral Project

Saturday, 8 p.m., at Spokane Falls Community College Music Building Auditorium. Advance tickets $12 ($8 for students and seniors) through G&B (325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT), Hoffman Music or the SFCC Cashier’s Office. Tickets $2 extra at the door.

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