Sometimes it is intensely meaningful just to be in a space with someone, to be literally touched by the invisibly shedding skin cells and exhalations of someone who, say, played on Kind of Blue and with virtually every other great from the peak era of jazz. Opus 40 in Saugerties is no stranger to jazz legends: Sonny Rollins recorded his well-received 1986 album G-Man there and, during the performance, fell six feet off the “stage,” breaking his heel but continuing to play. Many other jazz eminences have stumbled on the rocks of Harvey Fite’s spectacular sculpture park, including local residents and jazz titans like DeJohnette, Holland, Abercrombie and (one-time local resident) Metheny.
Still, there is something pretty special about this one: drummer Jimmy Cobb, the last surviving member of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue ensemble (a group that included John Coltrane, Bill Evans and Cannonball Adderley) takes to the rocks at Opus 40 on Saturday, August 19. A simple list of the names with whom Cobb has played is good reading. In addition to the Miles crew, this subtle, sympathetic, song-centric drummer worked with Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn. Take that.
The gates open at 4 p.m. The show begins with a set by Murali Coryell, a fixture on the regional and national blues scene for several decades and the son of the great and late jazz guitarist Larry Coryell. Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. For tickets and additional information, call (845) 245-3400 visit www.opus40.org. Opus 40 is located at 50 Fite Road in Saugerties.
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