Astral Project

March 17, 2000

The Bird of Pardise

Ann Arbor, MI

Early Show

I went to go see New Orleans' Astral Project without ever having heard one note of their music. George Klein who leads a double life as my boss and a jazz DJ on WEMU in Ypsilanti had been raving about the band for several years and I had checked up on their website, but I wasn't sure what to expect.

Atral Project started in 1978 in New Orleans and at first glance they look like a fairly standard small jazz combo with piano, saxophone, bass, guitar and drums. A closer look reveals a melting pot of influences that includes everything from be-bop to New Orleans dance music to avant garde jazz. Astral Project is capable of encompassing all of these styles in a performance and often in a single song.

I headed down to the Bird of Paradise on Ashley in Ann Arbor to catch the first of four shows the band was playing there that weekend. These were also to be the last shows at the Bird's old location. Starting next week they are moving to a location below the Ark on Main Street. I arrived a little early to secure a close seat. The Bird is a real small club where they actually seat you. I got a nice seat at the counter at the right side of the stage near guitarist, Steve Masakowski and drummer, John Vidacovich. The Bird doesn't actually have a stage just an open area at the front of the room where the band sets up. Keyboardist David Torkanowsky was playing a grand piano so the band was tightly packed into the area of the pseudo-stage.

The band started off with the title track of its latest album Voodoo Bop which is on Allison Brown's label, Compass Records. "Voodoo Bop" is not only a cool tune, but it also describes Astral Project's sound pretty well. They are definitley a jazz band but their sound goes deeper than your normal jazz combo. There are elements of funk and blues melded into the music along with passages that defy all structure and delve into the completely improvised. In short, just the kind of crazy music I tend to like.

The anchor of the band is it's incredible rhythm section which is spearheaded by drummer, John Vidacovich. He is little guy who seems unassuming but as soon as he get behind the drum kit he is obviously living and breathing the music. I have seen a lot of talented drummers, but he has to be right up there with the best. He is one part Elvin Jones, one part Zigaboo Modeleste and one part something totally unique. His drumming was powerful and effortless, but could also be reduced to the fragile rhytmic core depending on the song. I was happy that I had a good view of this guy, because it was so fun to watch him play. He also acts as the band's spokesperson. After every few songs he would walk out in front of the band and tell the audience what the band had just played with his heavy Louisiana drawl.

Bassist James Singlton was also really impressive. He seemed push the band to get really out there. Occasionally the band would break down into a duo or a trio during certain passages and this really gave Singlton a chance to shine. He plays a big upright acoustic bass and he really digs into the strings.

Piano player, David Torkanowski is sort of the swing man in the group. He is a gifted soloist, but he can also lay down all sorts of funky rhythms and accents. I have rarely seen a piano player who could traverse so many styles. On one song he started playing big fat Bruce Hornsby-esque chords and then digressed into a tender lullabye before concluding with something like a New Orleans funeral march.

Sax player, Tony Dagradi is the founder of the band and it's main soloist. He is also capable of playing anything and everything. His solos usually built up slowly until suddenly it was a full out wail. His playing always seemed original and was never boring. Practically every solo elicited a big crowd reaction.

Guitar player, Steve Masakowski looks like the straightest jazz player in the band and in fact he seemed to play the straightest too. Having said that, his tone and creativity were very enjoyable. He was equally adept at playing leads as at playing vamps along with the rhythm. His most explosive moments came when he played off of Tony Degradi's sax.

At one point near the end of the set the band did a left turn and played a quiet ballad called "Old Folk" that John Vidacovich sang without a mic while he stood up at his drum set. It was melancholy tune about a kindly, local senior citizen who enjoys nothing more than fishing. Tony sang it in a weird style that seemed to recall both Billie Holiday and Mose Allison at once.

After one more tune the band took a break before the second show, but I didn't have the time or money to stick around so I reluctantly headed home, but it was the kind of show that can renew your faith in music. This band is full of completley unpretentious players who are all virtuosos, but still serve the music.