Last hurrah

Jazz pianist Tom McClung says au revoir

by Don Fluckinger

What difference does it make if a pianist leaves town? On the grand scale of the military-industrial-intellectual-cultural complex that is this great state of Massachusetts, it probably means squat that Northampton jazz composer, pianist, and extraordinary sideman Tom McClung is headed to France. But for jazz lovers, when someone with McClung's talent and connections moves on, it's a big loss.

A modern Monk scholar and a devotee of the traditional styles of blues and swing, McClung grew up in Amherst and currently lives in Northampton. He supplements his career and first love -- jazz performance -- by teaching at Amherst College. He'll tell you he's quitting his job and moving to Paris to rejoin drummer and longtime collaborator Stephen McCraven and to look for fresh ideas.

Truth is, McClung -- who plays his last gig this Tuesday at the Iron Horse before the big move -- is tired of the scene. Coming from most musicians, sentiments like that breed a who-cares-we-don't-need-him-anyway attitude. In McClung's case, it's very forgivable, because, outside of Boston, New Englanders don't always come to hear their great resident jazz piano players. When they do, they don't always appreciate the artistry. Take Woonsocket, Rhode Island, native Dave McKenna, a musician who has grooved with some of the world's most-renowned jazz musicians since he hit the scene in the 1940s. McKenna brings big-name guests to perform with him at local gigs but still has a hard time selling out small clubs. Yet he still performs, rock-steady, year in and year out.

"I've heard him many times, playing some joint down on the Cape," McClung says, "and people are talking away like some guy is playing background music, like wallpaper. Piano players end up having to play background music too often. It's employment, but it's not fun."

The 40-year-old McClung's no small-timer. Musically diverse, he's played in a salsa band, transcribed flamenco guitar music to piano, and performed with Bobby McFerrin, James Cotton, and Aaron Neville. At the Iron Horse he's played with bluesman Bo Diddley and folk musician Pete Nelson.

In the jazz realm, he's recorded and toured Europe and North America with McCraven and tenor saxman Archie Shepp, a Coltrane protégé whose career has embraced the avant-garde, blues, and bebop. He played on five albums with the Bill Lowe/Andy Jaffe Big Band and tours with the group.

Pressed to describe his own music -- which reflects influences from the realm of Latin jazz, the traditionalists, free jazz, even classical music -- in a few words, McClung laughingly suggests "post-Beatles bebop."

The Thelonious Monk connection is very clear; he's interpreted four of the master's compositions on his solo CDs.

"Monk as a player was so individual . . . there's very little imitation going on, his thing is so personal," he says. "There are all kinds of little harmonic and rhythmic things -- often big harmonic things -- going on."

McCraven and bassist Nat Reeves accompanied McClung on his new CD, the telling, released last month. McCraven, already in Paris, will not be performing at McClung's farewell gig. Reeves will. That was quite a coup for McClung, because Reeves has been busy recording and performing with saxman Kenny Garrett and all-stars Kenny Kirkland and Jeff "Tain" Watts; Garrett's recent Songbook CD is nominated for a Grammy in the best jazz instrumental-performance category.

Rounding out McClung's band will be another bassist, Dave Shapiro, from Vermont; Boston drummer Bob Gullotti, who also plays in the Fringe; and Jay Messer on guitar. Although McClung promises that unannounced guests will show up to perform, it's a certainty that Western Mass. jazz fixture Yusef Lateef will not be there -- it's against his religious beliefs to perform in any venue that serves alcohol.

After that, it's bonjour Paris, where McClung has visited and toured but never lived. Adieu, Northampton. "I'm going over there for some inspiration and adventure," McClung says. "Ultimately, I feel like this area has treated me well. For what it could offer, it's been good to me."

Tom McClung plays at 7 p.m. on January 27 at the Iron Horse, in Northampton. Tickets are $8. Call (413) 584-0610.