By Lucy Komisar
The Anderson Brothers’ performances at Birdland and other venues are more than just jazz. They have become icons of jazz history performance. They delight audiences with the stories of the jazz eras and musicians that they then bring to musical life. The other night at Birdland, Will and Peter on the horns went through the decades from Dixieland to Coltrane.
They were accompanied by the fine Wayne Tucker on trumpet and talented pianist Dalton Ridenhour. Also Neal Miner on bass and Alex Raderman on drums.
It was a stunning performance. The Andersons put down and picked up different horns without missing a beat. Tucker, who has his own group, seemed joined at the hip to them. The horns of course are what made jazz, along with the piano and drums we hear.
They start with how jazz was born, with the “Tiger Rag,” the first great improvisation by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. It shows me why I love Dixieland. Then Louis Armstrong’s “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue.”
From there, the sounds go north through Duke Ellington’s “The Mooche” performed at the Cotton Club in the Harlem Renaissance. And in the same neighborhood, “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Tucker’s trumpet was featured on “A Train.”
There is Coleman Hawkins’ cool “Body and Soul.” Most of the evening is cool jazz, perfect for digestion at a club where patrons sip drinks and eat good standards.
The Andersons always point out the racial politics of jazz. In this case Benny Goodman is cited saying, “We need the white keys and the black keys.” They do his “Sing, Sing, Sing,” not so well known.
More well known, moving to Count Basie and Lester Young in “Lester Leaps In “ and very well known, Charlie Parker’s jokey “Salt Peanuts” …salt peanuts….salt peanuts!
All the composers are introduced to where they fit in the jazz chronology, Thelonius Monk in “Round Midnight,” then Dizzie Gillespie going to b-bop with “Manteca” and Dave Brubeck with “Blue Rondo a la Turk.”
Sometimes the jazz greats did show and pop standards, but with their own inflections: Miles Davis playing “Summertime” and John Coltrane in “My Favorite Things.”
The evening ends in fine tune with “The Journey of Jazz” composed by Peter Anderson, who is also the musical arranger.
“The Journey of Jazz,” The Anderson Brothers, Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, NYC. March 25, 2025. The Anderson Brothers future dates.