Nobody knows where jazz is going, as the music and the market seem splintered. But there are a few artists who've found a way forward musically and found an audience at the same time, without sinking into elevatory smooth jazz. One of these is guitarist Charlie Hunter, who plays lead and bass lines simultaneously on his custom seven-string guitars and brings rock and blues into his music without pandering. Also, he's funny. His new album, "Baboon Strength" has a jaunty little number called "Astronaut Love Triangle" - I always thought that story would become a Lifetime movie, not a jazz piece, but whatever. A melodic ditty called "Difford-Tilbrook" invokes the Squeeze songwriters' talent for hooks without ever quite infringing their copyrights, while "Porter-Hayes" nods to the soul of Isaac Hayes and his musical partner Eric Porter. The title track is a groovy go-go number showcasing the contributions of Hunter's bandmates, keboardist Eric Deutsch and drummer Tony Mason. The Charlie Hunter Trio comes to the Cambridge YMCA Theatre Sunday for a 7:30 show with the Daniel Bennett Group. Tix: $20, $18 in advance, call 617-582-4136. Times must be tough - the poor bastard has a gig in Portland, Oregon on Monday night.
Comments