courage

Quentin Baxter's courage never ceases to amaze me.
As I've written in other outlets many times before, he is multi-faceted and is much more than the dynamite drummer that he is day to day.
Evidence of this took place Saturday at the Riviera Theater where he staged a hand-picked band that played a benefit concert for Jazz Artists of Charleston, a non-profit group in Charleston that benefits musicians, fans and everybody else interested in America's classical music.
Baxter put pianist Tommy Gill, saxophonist Mark Sterbank, trumpeter Charlton Singleton, bassist Kevin Hamilton and himself around Savannah trombonist extraordinaire Teddy Adams.
Baxter's courageous move this time was to offer a program of only originals by Adams, a very substantial composer as well as performer.
This is no small feat, especially since the audience comprised mostly lay people, not jazz aficianados who would be more open to a program of songs other than easily accessible standards.
Yes, it was the band that pulled it off but the bandleader's vision, execution and strength made it happen.