‘Hot Pepper’ with Barry Harris & Gary Smulyan
6:30–7:45PM, Absopure Waterfront Stage
Recalling the wonder that was Pepper Adams, legendary drummer and bandleader Mel Lewis noted, "We called him 'The Knife' because when he'd get up to blow, his playing had almost a slashing effect on the rest of us. He'd slash, chop, and before he was through, cut everybody down to size.” Detroit Jazz pays tribute to this giant of the baritone sax with a set featuring Gary Smulyan and Detroit’s own Barry Harris. Smulyan, one of the major voices on baritone sax today and winner of the 2009 DownBeat Critics Poll, has cited Adams as one of his biggest influences. Following Adams’ death, Smulyan released the album Homage (1994), which celebrates the music of Adams. NEA Jazz Master Barry Harris is an internationally renowned pianist, composer and educator who, along with Adams, Tommy Flanagan, Thad Jones and other home-town peers, played a major role in Detroit’s jazz scene in the 1950s. Rounding out the rhythm section for what promises to be a special set are David Wong (bass) and Rodney Green (drums).
