John wasn't the only one on stage

Jacked Up Jazz

It wasn't until I was able to see McCoy Tyner perform live at the benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims [url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4837922]Higher Ground[/url] that I was able to begin to understand how truly great an artist he is. The audio in the streaming broadcast (about 28 minutes into hour 3) doesn’t do it justice. The visual of 3 musicians who are in the moment and fully aware that they are ripping up the floor boards is a site to behold. As the applause begins, Tyner reaches for the microphone, ostensibly to thank his audience, but alas the mike is dead. The studio announcer then begins an unrelated interview, either oblivious to or unconcerned with what just occurred onstage, but you can still hear the crowd just going nuts in the background. McCoy Tyner once again has the world’s attention and this time he is “The Man”. Starting here, I probably will have to listen to and absorb everything available from this living legend.