The Kenny Garrett Quartet surprised local jazz fans with a rare appearance in Bakersfield, at West High School’s DeMello Hall, Friday March 5. Garrett, a multi-Grammy nominee alto/soprano saxophone player, blew the audience away right from the start with his loud, bellowing melodies, as he constantly moved his hips from back to front.
The rest of the band, consisting of Carlos McKinney on piano, Kris Funn on stand-up bass, and Ronald Bruner on drums, complemented Garrett with impeccable timing and the ability to keep up with his blazing speed. At one point, Garrett and Bruner went into a sort of instrumental dialogue – a call and response between the sax and the drums, which definitely highlighted the abilities of Bruner. The modest crowd of about 250 people enjoyed the hard-hitting drummer’s playfulness, as he left them hanging during his quick improvised solos.
Steven Mettler, West High School’s music director, said the show was a rare opportunity to see jazz of this caliber in Bakersfield. Garrett was the last saxophone player to play with jazz legend Miles Davis before Davis’ death, and he has also collaborated with Sting and Peter Gabriel.