The Jeff Lorber Fusion at Birdland January 11, 2016

My first show of 2016 was the Jeff Lorber Fusion at Birdland Jazz Club. I had last seen Jeff at the Blue Note in June 2014. This was my first time back at Birdland since I saw Yellowjackets on November 17, 2006, my 25th birthday. Coincidentally, Yellowjackets were also celebrating 25 years at the time. I plan on seeing them at Birdland this April.

The Jeff Lorber Fusion were in the middle of a five-night engagement at Birdland when my girlfriend and I went to see them on Thursday night.

Jeff Lorber was on keyboard:

…piano…:

…and both simultaneously:

Jimmy Haslip played bass:

Andy Snitzer was on tenor saxophone:

…but played soprano saxophone on “Chinese Medicinal Herbs” and “Up On This”:

Lionel Cordew rounded out the band on drums:

Each night had shows at 8:30 and 11:00. Here is the set list for Thursday’s 8:30 show:

1. Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Originally heard on: “The Jeff Lorber Fusion,” 1977; “Now is the Time,” 2010

2. He Had a Hat
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007

3. Get Up
Originally heard on: “Step It Up,” 2015

4. Hacienda
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013

5. Rain Dance
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979; “Now is the Time,” 2010

6. Montserrat
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012

7. Up On This
Originally heard on: “Step It Up,” 2015

8. Anthem for a New America/Tune 88
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007/”Water Sign,” 1979; “Flipside,” 2005

Photographically, I figured out how to shoot great pictures in low light without raising the ISO too high. The trick was to shoot in shutter-priority mode rather than aperture-priority mode. Once I found a good shutter speed, 1/30 second, I was ready to go.

With that in mind, here are various shots of each band member, starting with Jeff Lorber:

Jimmy Haslip:

Andy Snitzer on tenor sax:

…and soprano sax:

Lionel Cordew’s “Get Up” drum solo:

A few wide shots:

The end of “Tune 88”:

After my girlfriend chatted with Andy and Jeff. Then, we headed for home. It was another great night of music for us. Thank you, Jeff, Jimmy, Andy, and Lionel.