Marcus Miller – Live at Yoshi’s San Francisco

Bassist, composer, producer and arranger Marcus Miller is no stranger to the Bay Area. He recently made his first visit to the new Yoshi’s San Francisco, in the Fillmore’s Heritage Jazz Center.

Supporting his recent CD release, “Marcus”, Miller fronted an exceptionally tight five piece band with special guest DJ Logic.

This group—Patches Stewart on trumpet, Keith Anderson on saxophones, Bobby Sparks on keyboards, Gregoire Maret on harmonica, and Poogie Bell on drums—has been playing together for quite some time, and it shows.

Opening with the leadoff track from the CD, “Blast!” they warmed up quickly and then began to heat up the sold out opening night audience. From there they wove their way through a great selection of new cuts from the CD, and favorites from older releases.

Miller is one of the most melodic bass players on the current scene. His monstrous chops, dexterity, and blinding speed grab every listener’s attention.

However, it’s his wonderful use of the harmonics of the upper registers of the electric bass that resonate with critical listeners of the music, and draw the respect and admiration of his peers.

From the fierce funk of “Higher Ground” and “Panther” to superbly simple “Jeanne-Pierre,” Miller and the band hold the audience in a warm embrace, throughout the performance.

The addition of Maret on harmonica added a very fresh dynamic to what many are used to hearing in Miller’s music. Perhaps a virtual unknown to most, Maret’s resume of credits goes a long way past impressive, containing a virtual laundry list of current and future jazz legends.

He was right at home within the heavy funk-groove arrangements, and an integral part of the set. DJ Logic turntable mastery was showcased at several points during the show.

Veterans of Miller’s performances anxiously await the part of the set where he switches to bass clarinet and traverses the clubs while playing an instrument many of the audience have never seen or heard. Its unique tone is one they’ll not likely forget, especially with Miller playing it.

The classic standard, “When I Fall in Love” was the song Miller chose to play during his rounds. He took this piece from tender and sentimental to jubilant and rejoicing. Maret contributing a poignant solo that bridged into an uplifting tradeoff of solos between Stewart and Anderson.

From the center of the audience, Miller directed the band like a conductor, calling in different members of the band for a string of 8-bar solo exchanges.

On “Marcus,” Corinne Bailey Rae provides most of the lead vocals. On tour, Miller has enlisted the voice of Jean Baylor, formerly of Zhane. Baylor was on hand to close the set with Miller’s cover of the Denise William’s hit “Free”, and the Stylistics’ “People Make the World Go Round.”

On the latter, Miller borrowed a page from Miles Davis’ live show days: He spontaneously directed various members of the band to jump in with a quick solo, pretty much on cue. Taking it a step further, Miller would randomly pair them for those same quick solo bursts.

It all serves a purpose. Marcus had fun with it, the band had fun with it (and they’re tight enough to pull it off without skipping a beat), and the audience definitely had fun with it.

Speaking of fun, Marcus Miller is hosting the first ever, Playboy Jazz Cruise, January 25 through February 1, 2009. Miller, special guest Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Keb’ Mo’, and more, will provide the entertainment for this week-long cruise with Ports of Call at San Juan, St. Barths, Nevis, and Half Moon Cay.

For details, visit the Playboy Jazz Cruise website, and tell them you want to hang with Marcus.

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