Recently, while interviewing Brian Settles for this piece I asked him to describe his music. I realize now that it was an unfair question, akin to asking him to dilute all of his experiences and influences to a label. Brian said something in passing that has stuck with me: that being a jazz musician implied attention to detail. As a person and as a musician, Brian is constantly exploring new ideas, but nothing ever seems forced – he always looks and sounds like Brian Settles. Instead of concerning ourselves with labels, we should focus on the virtues of his playing and in Brian’s case he’s an unparalleled improviser.

He has all of the requisite credentials; he went to high school at the famed Duke Ellington School for the Arts, earned his music degree from the New School in New York City and completed his master’s degree at Howard University, but what’s unique about Brian is that he cultivates the wisdom of masters - his sound and technique have been shaped by Stanley Turrentine, Reggie Workman, Steve Neil, Charlie Young and his mentor Davey Yarbrough. He’s a consummate student of musical traditions, a ride in his car might include listening to an Ornette Coleman bootleg, a Bach violin concerto, or Armenian folk music. He spent years living in a Brooklyn house with a resident musical master, playing through every waking hour - all of which have developed into his rich tone and his guttural improvising.

Music, jazz music in particular, exposes the creative process to us in its rawest form: witnessing Brian wrestle and dance with his instrument, waiting for the moment right before he unleashes a haunting scream when he tightly scrunches the area between his eyebrows; watching closely for the slight touch of his right hand across the back of his saxophone, adding dimension and depth to each note – these are the sheer joys of witnessing a constantly evolving work in progress.

Come witness it for yourself, along with a taste of Jackie’s wonderful food and atmosphere, this Saturday, October 4th at 8:00PM.

Brian Settles Trio
Saturday, October 4th
Jackie’s Back Room
8081 Georgia Avenue (enter on Sligo Ave)
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301)565-9700
8pm - 11:00pm
$5

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