I walked up the stairs Metro just in time to catch the last song Carnationready. In this short period of time, his unusual vocals and free jazz musings managed to set the tone for an enchanting evening of experimental music in M for Montreal.
Fresh off ADISQ's win for Jazz Album of the Year with Bit Bouquet, Miscellaneous took the stage and received a very warm welcome. For such a technical jazz trio, it's rare to see an audience reaction that's closer to a rock show than the usual head nod.
With a wide selection to choose from, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the light show and effects indicated that we were in for a cinematic experience. The compact central stage reassembled the cube, the light of which burst out from under the feet of pianist Jerome Beaulieu.
Ultimately, this was the spaceship that Misc would use to propel their rhythm section and take the crowd to new heights. We performed laser-focused solos, and even if some melodic improvisation was present, the syncopated anchor point was never too far out of reach.
Misc have been playing together for decades, pushing the boundaries of what a free jazz ensemble can offer while prioritizing accessibility. Last night (November 19th) this fine line was masterfully walked once again, to the enormous appreciation of the already acquired audience.
