If you think of jazz as a musical language, plan on hearing some eloquent conversation Friday at Tucson's annual Jazz Legends Live benefit concert. Noted drummer Lewis Nash has invited six swinging friends to join him for some lively looks into the compositions of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Count Basie and other classic jazz giants.
"I invited guys who are not only good friends but who also enjoy responding quickly to each other's playing," Nash said on the phone from his New York home.
"These are guys not only well-versed in the jazz repertoire but have distinctive personalities that can give the music different sounds."
Elite musicians have always been a part of Nash's career both on stage and in the recording studio. The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz calls Nash "perhaps the most talented drummer of his generation."
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After years-long tours in the 1980s with jazz singer Betty Carter, bassist Ron Carter and saxophonist Branford Marsalis, the drummer's circle of colleagues kept expanding to include such names as Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Clark Terry, Oscar Peterson, Roy Hargrove and Diana Krall.
Nash has developed one of the lengthiest discographies in the business, listed in the liner notes on more than 400 recordings. Because of his reputation for listening and enhancing the band sound of other musicians, Modern Drummer magazine in 2009 suggested Nash has become the jazz world's most valuable player.
"You have to always be exploring," Nash said. "There is always something to add.
"In the Legends concert, everyone will be featured at some point. Even me," he said with a laugh.
These like-minded musicians on stage also have accomplished backgrounds. They include:
• Cyrus Chestnut, a high-profile bandleader.
• Chuck Berghofer, who for many years toured with pianist Bobby Troup and his singing wife, Julie London.
• Greg Gisbert, on trumpet and flugelhorn, has played with Buddy Rich, Gary Burton, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Maria Schneider.
• Harry Allen, a tenor saxophonist compared to Stan Getz, has toured the world playing jazz festivals, nightclub and concert dates.
• Trombonist Michael Dease joined the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band in 2008.
• In the vocalist chair for the Jazz Legends concert is Dennis Rowland, a larger-than-life personality who shared the stage with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Tony Bennett.
The 2012 Jazz Legends Live concert is a benefit event to support local school arts and music education programs.
IF YOU GO
• What: Jazz Legends Live benefit concert presented by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance.
• When: 5:30 p.m. dinner; 7 p.m. concert.
• Where: Tucson Country Club, 2950 N. Camino Principal.
• Tickets: $45 reserved seating, concert only; $99 dinner and VIP concert seating.
• Information: 797-3959, Ext. 1; saaca.org
Chuck Graham has written about Tucson arts for more than 36 years. Read more of his articles at "Let the Show Begin," tucsonstage.com
