Jazz Notes: Sista's Place, LoJo Watts, Breathe

Not too long ago, Dizzy's jazz club premiered the official performance of the collaborative trio LoJo Watts with alto saxophonist and composer Logan Richardson, bassist Joe Sanders, and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts.

- RONALD E. SCOTT

(Danny Mixon. (Contributed photo))

They played beyond straight-ahead jazz borders as one should expect in a piano-less configuration similar to those inventive trios led by Sonny Rollins. Logan noted that LoJo Watts is bringing honor and recognition to the trio artform and its rich history.

Each artist, a visionary in their own right, filled the evening with absorbing twists and turns, explosive melodies from Watts, deep expressive tones from Sanders, and inventive riffs from Logan, blending it all into an unexpected transformation of sound. Like Logan's group SHIFT, LoJo Watts is also answering the question with a prominent yes: New music can be found in jazz. The trio understands the concept of space. Overtones from previous notes linger and ring out in their open space. “The trio opens up for overtones responding in a harmonic space,” explained Logan. Their music is improvisational, moving, and provoking.