Concert Review: Billy Childs Quartet
Billy Childs Quartet at Newman Center, Denver
February 1, 2025 - By Geoff Anderson
Billy Childs is equally at home in both the jazz and classical worlds. He has worked with prestigious ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and served as president of Chamber Music America, among other prominent classical music affiliations. Bridging his passions for both classical and jazz, he recorded two albums of “jazz/chamber music” — Lyric, Vol. 1 (Lunacy Music, 2006) and Autumn: In Moving Pictures, Vol. 2 (Artist Share, 2009), both of which feature Grammy-winning compositions. Saturday night in Denver, he and his quartet fully embraced jazz, though with a sophisticated, serious touch.
In 2023, Childs released Winds of Change (Mack Avenue, 2023), which won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Album the following year — one of six Grammy wins and 17 nominations he has garnered to date. Not surprisingly, over half of Saturday’s program was drawn from that album, including the opening track, “Great Western Loop,” which served as the opener Saturday evening.
With his impressive accolades and established career, Childs now attracts top-tier talent for his tours. He spoke with great admiration for his bandmates, calling them some of the best musicians anywhere, and their playing certainly lived up to the praise. Lenard Simpson played both soprano and alto saxophones, marking a departure from the Winds of Change album, where the horn parts were handled by Ambrose Akinmusire on trumpet. Simpson proved to be an excellent partner for Childs, moving effortlessly between sweet, lyrical passages and intense, almost frenzied bursts of energy when the music called for it.
Drummer Ari Hoenig brought the wild-eyed exuberance of the Muppets’ drummer, Animal. Described in his bio as “known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming,” Hoenig’s performance was a testament to his belief that drumming should be an indispensable part of the music, not merely a rhythmic backdrop. His playing was bold and unpredictable, often stealing the spotlight with boisterous, frantic energy. His playing brought to mind Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, “I will not be ignored!” Bassist Matt Penman, in contrast, maintained a more measured presence, though his virtuosity was undeniable, providing a steady foundation while occasionally unleashing solos that rivaled the intensity of the band’s drummer.
Childs engaged with the audience between songs, introducing each piece and sharing anecdotes about their inspirations. For instance, he explained that “Great Western Loop” was inspired by a 7,000-mile hiking trail that spans from San Diego to Canada along the Pacific coast, then eastward, and then turning south through Colorado, and back to its beginning. He was quick to mention that while he had no intention of hiking the trail himself, he was impressed by those who attempted it.
He also reminisced about watching film noir with his mother, which inspired the dramatic shifts in mood found in songs like “Winds of Change.” For his solo piece, “Easy Living,” he mentioned the film Chinatown as one of his favorites, noting how the incidental music in the background — including the piece “Easy Living” — had left a lasting impression on him. He confessed that while Faye Dunaway certainly caught his attention in the film, the moody, brooding music had done the same.
The final piece before the encore, Childs’ original composition “Dance of Shiva,” was one of the highlights of the evening. This frenetic tune seemed tailor-made for Hoenig to unleash his full energy on the drums. Yet, the entire band shifted into high gear, navigating complex changes and pushing the minor-key themes to a fever pitch.
Another standout was a cover of Chick Corea’s “Crystal Silence,” which provided a striking contrast to the intensity of “Dance of Shiva.” Given their shared musical interests, it’s no surprise that Childs is a Corea fan. “Crystal Silence” is known for a beautiful descending melodic figure that repeats throughout the piece. Childs introduced this figure in his solo, before Simpson joined in for a duet, drawing out the melody with dramatic effect. The rhythm section eventually joined, and Childs returned as the soloist, bringing the piece to a close.
The encore featured “The End of Innocence,” a Chiles composition from Winds of Change that also featured a descending melodic figure similar to that in “Crystal Silence.” This melody echoed throughout the piece, bringing the concert to a poignantly beautiful conclusion.
Set List
Great Western Loop
Winds of Change
Crystal Silence
Backward Bop
Master of the Game
Easy Living
Dance of Shiva
Encore
End of Innocence
Band
Billy Childs, grand piano
Lenard Simpson, soprano sax, alto sax
Matt Penman, bass
Ari Hoenig, drums
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