This Saturday (Jan. 21), two jazz greats, drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath and pianist Art Lande, come together in a rare performance at CalArts. The musicians join CalArtian jazz faculty and alumni on stage at The Roy O. Disney Music Hall at 8 pm for a free concert.
Heath, who’s been described by AllAboutJazz.com as a “top hard bop-based drummer with an open mind toward more commercial styles of jazz,” has worked with legends including saxophonist John Coltrane and trombonist J.J. Johnson.
Lande, who is currently in residence at The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts during the Interim term (Jan. 17-20), has also had a stellar career, performing with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, trumpeter Woody Shaw and others. While he’s crafted numerous compositions throughout his career, Lande’s also known for his unusual and distinctive interpretations of popular and jazz standards.
Saturday’s first set features a four-movement piece performed by four different pianists, including Lande, CalArts Jazz Program Director David Roitstein and alumni Cathlene Pineda (Music MFA 11) and Rory Cowal (Music MFA 08).
“It’s sort of a round-robin performance with two pianos and four pianists,” says Cowal. “Beginning with one solo pianist, the next performer will enter the stage after some time and begin a duet. Eventually that first performer will leave and the second pianist will play a solo, and so on.”
The final set of the concert is dedicated to the late jazz drummer Eddie Marshall, a dear friend of Lande and Heath who passed away in September. The duo will play free improv, some standards and a few pieces of Marshall’s music.
Above, Heath performs with his trio at Duc des Lombards in 2008. Below, Art Lande and saxophonist Paul McCandless perform Virgil’s Brown Box.
Art Lande and Albert “Tootie” Heath, Special Guest Artists Concert
Roy O. Disney Music Hall, CalArts
Jan. 21, 8 pm
Free