City Newspaper Archives - 5/2008
Ari Brown "Live at the Green Mill"
Delmark
Published by Ron Netsky on May 07, 2008
If you can't make it to Chicago to check out the thriving jazz scene, a new Delmark DVD can help transport you there. "Live At The Green Mill" is the perfect vehicle, as the vintage 1907 Green Mill is one of the last great, wonderfully ornate jazz clubs. To this evocative setting add Ari Brown and his band mates, who are among the most unpretentious, straight-ahead players anywhere. Brown is a fluid, melodic saxophonist capable of skirting the edge of the avant-garde. He is equally adept at tenor and soprano, and when he plays both simultaneously on "Two Gun V," there is no gimmickry involved; it's simply riveting. Occasionally explosive drummer Avreeayl Ra may remind you of Elvin Jones, while trumpeter Pharez Whitted has the fire of an early Freddie Hubbard. And pianist Kirk Brown (Ari's brother) solos beautifully throughout. Bassist Yosef Ben Israel and guest, Dr Cuz on congas round out the superb rhythm section.
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