Last Wednesday was the debut of a new jazz group, the Cannon Kenyatta Project. An excellent night of music, as always.



The laid back grooves kept a nice easy pace for the whole set, without ever degenerating into that dreaded smooth jazz sound. This was jazz on a slow simmer, with original compositions as well as songs by Wayne Shorter and Andrew Hill.



I heard a remark that Kamau Kenyatta does not play a tenor sax very often, but he plays it as well as if it were his main instrument.



Derek Cannon was the only musician who I've seen before, and I came to this show specifically to hear him again. Not only is he a talented trumpeter but he's a music scholar too, teaching classes in Rock music.



Rounding out the group was Andrew Michel on bass.



Tonga Ross-Ma'u on piano.



Richard Sellers on drums.



There was also some instrument switching going on.





The one hour set flew by, and I'm sure they'll be even tighter at their second gig.