TONY MALABY'S "APPARITIONS" @ Cornelia Street Cafe (6/29/09)
JUNE 29, 2009 -- W. VILLAGE: As the packed crowd tried to get in final drink orders, Tony Malaby turned his hawk-like gaze to the audience from the cozy Cornelia Street Cafe stage. Behind him were two drumsets, manned respectively by Tom Rainey and John Hollenbeck, and to his right stood Drew Gress with upright bass. The set began with Malaby's only announced song, "Dreamy Drunk," a slithering tenor melody with harmonic accompaniment provided by Hollenbeck on dulcimer. The audience was enraptured, and as the song settled into a frantic yet relaxed groove I could feel the collective focus of the audience rival that of the musicians. "Dreamy Drunk's" final questioning melody faded enchantingly into silence and an overwhelming sigh preceded the applause and cheers, as if the audience too were awaiting Malaby's cue.
Apparitions is Tony Malaby's most recent venture in startlingly original music. The title of the group is appropriate - the music floats into your mind like a mysterious phantom, compelling in its tender elasticity and bound by unison melodies and dissonant counterpoint. Free improvisations flowed seamlessly into composed sections from Malaby's subtle melodic cues. The two drummers provided a bed of sound for Malaby and Gress to interact, and the dynamic range of the group ran from a startled whisper to the illusive cacophony that should come from a much larger band. When Hollenbeck wasn't providing a percussive maelstrom with Rainey, he tastefully commanded various instruments: dulcimer, xylophone, and melodica (often playing unison with Malaby on soprano sax). Even considering the music was first rehearsed that very day, none of the musicians were lost in the page - everything felt organic, light, and vaguely sinister.
In a city and culture that is oversaturated with music that can often sound more or less the same, it is inspiring to hear a voice as unique and moving as Malaby's. His music has maturity and depth, and glows with the confidence of constantly discovering his own voice. The unexplored melodic and sonic territory that Malaby and bandmates have uncovered is evidence of years of honest personal exploration and work. It is the kind of music that one does not have to approach with an open mind, but rather the music will open your mind for you. I left with a sense of excitement, a rare pleasure that will continue to keep Malaby's audience satisfied.
