Harvie S

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From Marc Myers One of the finest and most rewarding live albums of the year is Going for It (Savant), by the Harvie S Trio. The album was recorded in 1985 on July 8, 9 and 10 at the 1369 Jazz Club, at 1369 Cambridge St. at Inman Square in Cambridge, Mass. Bassist Harvie S, who by then had played with all the living greats and today plays with singer Sheila Jordan, was joined by guitarist Mike Stern, who by then had spent years perfecting his swinging, ringing metallic sound in a series of top fusion bands. The trio was rounded out by the towering drummer Alan Dawson, who taught Tony Williams and many others at the Berklee College of Music. Dawson began recording in '53, with Lionel Hampton and then worked with Gigi Gryce, Quincy Jones, Booker Ervin, Bill Evans Sonny Rollins and many others. He died in 1996. [Photo above of Harvie S by Nick Carter, courtesy of Harvie S] The musical conversation taking place among these three is astonishing. Harvie notes that on that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in July 1985 when the group appeared at the club, the space was packed with excited fans and inspired musicians. After the gig ended, Harvie says, the run became part of local jazz lore. Decades later, Harvie returned to the area to play at a Cambridge club near where the 1369 was located. Since 1993, the location has been occupied by the 1369 Coffee House. On a break, Harvie caught up with David Lee, a longtime fan. When their reminiscing turned to the 1369 gig in '85, Harvie sighed. It was a pity, he said, no one had recorded the electrifying music everyone was still talked about. Lee then stunned Harvie, telling him that he had done so with a high-quality cassette recorder and two mics for each set. “I almost fell down when he told me that,” Harvie said. Now the music is finally out after sitting on a shelf for the past 36 years. The tracks are On Green Dolphin Street, Softly as in a Morning Sunrise, Horace Silver's Peace, Like Someone in Love, John Coltrane's Moment's Notice, Chick Corea's Windows and Mike Stern's Bruze. On each song, the trio works together with familiarity and ease. Harvie's upright bass is warm and swings the guitar and drums. Stern's guitar is exceptional. It has an steely edge with straight-ahead jazz at its core. The two of them together not only produce beautiful music but their sounds create engaging textures. The sparks shooting off of Stern's guitar are fielded smoothly by Harvie's bass. Moment's Notice will leave you breathless. [Photo above of the 1369 Coffee House, former home of the 1369 Jazz Club] And then there's Dawson (above) on drums. A gorgeous player who deftly brings his snare to life, mixing rhythms without ever overshadowing. As for Lee, I have no idea what cassette recorder he used on those nights, but the quality of the sound is astonishing, with perfect recording levels and mixes. Don't miss this album. JazzWax tracks: You'll find the Harvie S Trio's Going for It (Savant) here. JazzWax clips: Here's Moment's Notice...