•Charleston City Paper Stage
•5-6 p.m.
Local jazz/improv trio Gradual Lean – currently comprised of guitarist Lee Barbour, double-bassist Kevin Hamilton, and drummer/percussionist Quentin Baxter – follow Danielle Howle on the locals stage with a set starting at 5 p.m. The trio have been gigging around the cafés, clubs, and campuses of the Lowcountry since forming in 1999. Fans have been able to catch them at weekly Tuesday night gigs at FIG and other downtown spots.
“Quentin, Kevin, and I have been doing the gigs at FIG for about two years now,” says Barbour. “Compared to some of the other ‘money’ gigs we do, it’s a great thing to come back to each week – a gig where there are no rules and we can stretch out a bit. We don’t even need to call tunes anymore, we just let it happen.”
Barbour received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz Performance from USC, where he led his own quintet. Since 2001, he has performed frequently around Charleston in various jazz and experimental groups with Quentin Baxter and other locals. He recently performed on stage and in the studio with Cary Ann Hearst and also teaches jazz guitar at the CofC.
Baxter is a graduate of CofC and also studied at USC. Revered as one of the most technically proficient and musically creative drummers in the Lowcountry, Baxter has performed with many musicians here and across the globe – from Charlie Byrd, Billy Childs, and Marcus Roberts to his own group, Emanon, and other local combos.
Hamilton is celebrated by local jazz cats, blues players, and R&B bandmates as one of the most versatile bassists in town – on both the upright and the electric. He also plays weekly gigs with the Kopaja Trio at Cordavi alongside Nathan Koci and Ron Wiltrout.
As a trio, Gradual Lean specialize in a loose, cool style of improv and interpretation – from classic swing and bebop to more contemporary styles and arrangements. Gradual Lean continue to perform a blend of be-bop and modern jazz, smooth grooves, standards, and more experimental original pieces.
“For this set at Chazzfest, we’ll have no rehearsed set list,” says Barbour. “It’s going to be whatever comes out of Gradual Lean at that moment. We’ve never been very happy performing rehearsed, prepared material. It’s better just doing what we do – an original set of improvisational music.” – T. Ballard Lesemann
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