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Week 5 of the greatest jazz birthday ever: It’s been a little cold in NYC. But not too cold for Erlend Skomsvoll, arranger/conductor for the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra to perform barefooted on the Blue Note stage. This band is one of the best-kept secrets of Chick’s amazing range of musical projects. Because in this group, he’s “just” a piano player. Erlend's severely re-imagined big band arrangements of Chick’s oeuvre are simply kick-ass. So creative. Powerful. With Chick at his Yamaha Concert Grand, he was joined by 13 Norwegians, who played and sang their hearts out. Honestly, do yourself a favor and pick up the CD that Chick did with the TJO in 2005. And be on the lookout for more. Then came three piano duets for the ages. Chick had never played duet with Brad Mehldau. You wouldn’t know it. They are kindred spirits and the subtlety and sensitivity of musicianship was astounding. Then, a spectacular reprise of the Herbie Hancock duet. While this pairing has been well documented, every performance is totally unique — this one being no exception. They left the Blue Note audience in awe. Ending Week 5 was a very special duet with piano-master Gonzalo Rubalcaba. The harmony and rhythm between these two is indescribably masterful. A special treat was a drop-in from Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, who sang a Jobim tune with the duet. And Chick’s sweetie, Gayle Moran Corea, ended the set, blowing the audience’s mind with a take of "500 Miles High" that was truly … 500 Miles High.
