Derek Gripper at Joe Henderson Lab, April 25, 2024

SFJAZZ presents Derek Gripper
Joe Henderson Lab
SFJAZZ Center, 205 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA
7:00 PM, Thursday, April 25, 2024

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[7:01 PM] {lights down; house announcements; enter DG}

1. [7:02 PM] Chamber Music (Ballaké Sissoko arr. DG) »
2. [7:07 PM] Tita (Fanta Sacko arr. DG)
   [7:11 PM] {Greetings from DG; talk about South African Freedom Day}
   [7:15 PM] {DG begins Jarabi, then stops after a bar or three for tuning! DG story about travel hell}
3. [7:17 PM] Jarabi (Toumani Diabate arr. DG)
   [7:21 PM] {DG banter}
4. [7:22 PM] “Bach a la Toumani” AKA J.S. Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major‚ BWV 1007 I. Prélude (Arr. DG) »
5. [7:27 PM] I Like the Motor Car (Madosini‚ arr. DB & Mike Block)
   [7:32 PM] {DG banter about self-driving cars}
6. [7:33 PM] Lindo (DG) »
7. [7:35 PM] the Moss on the Mountain (DG)
   [7:40 PM] {DG banter about feeling time pressure (short sets here in the Henderson Lab)}
8. [7:42 PM] Cinquante Six (56) (Ali Farka Touré arr. DG)
   [7:47 PM] {DG banter}
9. [7:48 PM] Koortjie for the Kommetjie Whales (DG)
   [7:55 PM] {DG banter}
10. [7:56 PM] Tubaka (Love) (Toumani Diabaté‚ arr. DG)
    [8:00 PM] {DG introduces the last song}
11. [8:00 PM] Ana Na Ming (Salif Keita)
    [8:04 PM] {applause at end of set}
    [8:05 PM] {show ends}

• Derek Gripper: 6-string guitar.

DG managed to sell out the Henderson Lab: it's nice that other folks have discovered his genius.

I thought tonight's early show was quite good. I'm sure it overlapped his 2019 & 2021 sets, but that's more than enough delay where I didn't mind hearing a repeat or three.

One thing that I noticed tonight that I don't recall from last time is how much he sounded like Michael Hedges when playing in an open style (as opposed to playing pieces that were straight African or classical). Must be the natural voice of the acoustic guitar coming through, no?

It probably would have been fun to stay for the late show too, but an hour is just right for making sure that I don't get bored – something altogether too easy with a solo performer. I hope he brings Ballake Sissoko for duets the next time he comes back to SF.

Big thanks to Ting for the photo gallery!

Whoa! This section is incomplete for now, sorry!

Back to the previous event! ☸ Up to the 2024 yearbox! ☸ Up to the 2024 event list! ☸ On to the next event!