 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
On Saturday (August 13, 2011) I headed to ibeam here in Brooklyn for a duo performance by two musicians I’d never seen live — pianist Carmen Staaf and bassist Kendall Eddy. I’d heard a bit of Staaf’s work online (and knew her a bit via social media), but I didn’t really know what to expect.
In a phrase: I was extremely impressed.
Staaf is an incredibly melodic player whose technique is so solid that she can effortlessly execute whatever comes to mind, a talent she displayed on uptempo bop tunes and her own contemplative compositions. Eddy was a great foil for Staaf. He’s a sensitive player with great fluidity over the entire range of the bass. A solid arco player, too.
The whole program was strong and enjoyable, with the two standouts for me being Staaf’s composition “Nymphs of the Milky Way” and their lush rendition of the Cuban classic “Los Tres Golpes.”
Here are my photos and tweets from the gig. If you’d like to get this content while it’s happening, follow me on twitter at @jasondcrane. And please visit the online homes of Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy.
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
“Look out! Some serious Cuban piano happening right now with @carmenstaaf – and they’re still just warming up! #cachao”
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
“Really clever reworking (or maybe contrafact) of a Monk tune by @carmenstaaf”
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
“Kendall Eddy channeling Cachao”
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
“@carmenstaaf’s ‘Nymphs of the Milky Way’ was gorgeous. She’s such a melodic writer and improviser.”
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
“Now into ‘Gone With The Wind.’ Quite a switch”
“Now onto a Kenny Wheeler tune. I think.”
“Closing out with some bop.”
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
 |
| From Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam (Aug 13, 2011) |
“They had one more in them. A lovely, contrapuntal version of ‘All The Things You Are.'”
1 thought on “PHOTOS & RECAP: Carmen Staaf and Kendall Eddy at ibeam”