David S. Ware Trio: Live in New York, 2010

One night on earth David S. Ware was here. Blowing at the Blue Note on October 4, 2010, but it could have been October 4, 2090. Years ahead of his time or perhaps just outside of it, he took his alto saxophone and played. Fully formed compositions never named, but caught eternally on tape.

David S. Ware was known as a tenor saxophonist with a big, earthshaking sound of fragile beauty, but this time he took the alto. Bird's instrument. But Ware also flew into somewhere else and brought diamonds back from heaven. Not alone. Not a song of solitude. He played with his brothers. The swinging, singing drums of Warren Smith and the boom, boom, boom bass of William Parker whose deep grooves grow like ancient trees and sing sad and happy songs with the buzzing voice of a cello.

David S. Ware presented the musicians. The audience responded enthusiastically, but how can you thank someone enough for music? Gratitude and thanks are the answers. One evening, two sets. Endless fantasy, spiraling lines and a surprising comeback to the tenor who shows up again like a lost child. The music always searching, but never lost. Clear lines of thought breaking into the paradox of beauty. The beauty of improvisation and the immense valley of emotions. Not just a concert, but a journey. One night on earth David S. Ware was here.

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