by S. Rotan Hale
I slipped into Roanoke’s Jefferson Center Friday, May 12 to check out Camile Thurman backed by the Darrell Green Quartet. Due to an earlier engagement, I was running a little late, 15 min. into the 9:00 show actually. It was one of two shows in Jeff Center’s smaller “Black Box” sort of venue which is more intimate and has a New York Jazz club feel.
I had googled Thurman, an up-and-coming saxophonist and vocalist the day before, considering I knew nothing of her, only to find she had an amazing back story. With credits galore, she has played with many of the greatest names in Jazz and performed in some mighty high-profile settings such as the Kennedy Center and Alice Tully Hall and toured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis just to name a few.
Hmm, I thought, a little soul sister of world-class notoriety wielding a big tenor saxophone, this might be interesting. Just seconds after I took my seat at the show I found myself totally mesmerized by this “little sister’s” amazing voice while her sax sat patiently on a stand at her side.
Thurman really showed her keen vocal ability with her strong yet sweet and lilting voice on such songs as Cole Porter’s Easy to Love. I was totally pulled in as she sang softly flowing through the octaves with scat-like improvisations – her hands waving so as to delicately guide those listening through the melody. Within minutes, I was floored, sitting in awe, and later felt lifted–liberated by another particularly intoxicating song as she boldly stressed freedom, freedom over and over in somewhat of a spiritual way.
Sitting on the front row I could see her dynamic expressions mostly smiling as she trickled through such tunes singing Hoagy Carmichael’s The Nearness of You while trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr. tip-toed gingerly through the melody.
There is something timeless and sultry about the sound of a muted trumpet that speaks to the cool bohemian nature of jazz. The sound itself conjures up images of stepping outside smokey clubs into the dark streets–lamp rays shining down as much of the city sleeps. Aaah, this was real jazz, refreshing, and at its best. Thank you Jefferson Center, I thought to myself.
I’m not one for drum solos, just never snuggled up to a good one and as an avid follower of all kinds of music, I’ve heard it all. However, drummer Darrell Green made me a true believer, not so much in drum solos but just in the art of good percussive accompaniment. With not a hint of overplay, Green perfectly played between the lines, whether using brushes or sticks, his tasty rudiments kept the beat solid, smooth, and strong.
During a brief conversation after the show Green said he and his group had been with Thurman for around 12 years and with her, there was never a dull moment. It was a testament to that same vibrant and creative spirit she embodies that carried the night to great heights.
The quartet behind Camille also featured guitarist Bruce Edwards and bassist Tom DiCarlo, two team players who provided the rhythm that held everything together – filling the gaps beautifully since there was no piano.
Closing out the night the group did an original called “Standing Tall.” It was a rip-roaring straight-ahead upbeat number where she and Roney showed off trading back-to-back hot licks. She and Green had an opportunity to perform the song as a duet during a National Public Radio series called Lock Down with Couples.
“This song is in memory of all of the lives lost during the pandemic and the racial unrest that plagues our nation, but also serves as a reminder and encouragement to us as a community to keep standing tall,” she said graciously prior to blowing the roof off with a tune that perfectly capped another very interesting and exciting night at The Jeff Center.
