By Andrew Poretz***Jazz pianist and composer, Bud Powell, born 100 years ago on September 27, was one of the “founding fathers” of bebop jazz, whose innovative contributions to the jazz piano and overall j
azz form cannot be overstated. His life was the inspiration for the film Round Midnight. Celebrated drummer Steve Smith, along with pianist Manuel Valera and bassist Janek Gwizdala, celebrated Powell’s centennial at Birdland Theater with Bouncin’ With Bud – The Music of Bud Powell. (The title refers to a 1962 album and eponymous song by Powell.)
Powell had a fairly tragic life filled with police beatings, schizophreponenia, alcoholism, periodic confinement to asylums and an early death at age 41 from a combination of tuberculosis, malnutrition and alcoholism. Though he is not quite the icon that bebop saxophonist Charlie Parker became (Birdland is named after Parker, after all), Powell played with him in The Quintet. Powell also had a strong relationship with Birdland in its original incarnation at 1678 Broadway (1949-1965, under the ownership of eight partners).
Smith could not have picked a better pianist than Valera to represent Powell. The set wasted no time getting to the title song with their opening number. (Powell wrote all of the songs in this set.) Valera used a very strong, percussive right-hand style reminiscent of Powell’s innovative playing, which transitioned jazz piano style from its left-handed stride leanings. Following an excellent bass solo by Gwizdala, Smith and Valera had an aggressive, or perhaps “bouncin’,” call-and-response. Smith’s unusual kit setup doubled up on tom-toms and snares, with three large cymbals and a single high-hat, and what appeared to be a cone-shaped cowbell.
“Cleopatra’s Dream” was a wild melange of syncopation, in and out of time, switching among Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms, while Gwizdala’s bass lines had a 
nearly conversational approach. “Wail” was an exciting, impressive piece for the entire trio, played at a frenetic, double-time pace, with a brilliant solo by Gwizdala. Smith made extensive use of his cone bell on “Un Poco Loco.” At times this piece had the intensity of a war dance. Smith pulled out all the stops in terms of varying drum motifs. Perhaps the best number of the set was I’ll Keep Loving You,” a solo piano piece for Valera. With a rubato start, Valera’s voicings helped tell a wordless story.
Bouncin’ With Bud – The Music of Bud Powell was an excellent set by Steve Smith and his trio, and a great introduction to Bud Powell’s music for those not versed in this legend’s catalog.
Photos by Haeyong Moon
