| “Last Sunday’s Tango” was a Balkanized tango number with a shorter than usual form that stretched out to the Scofieldesque guitar of Graham Campbell, a soaring flute volley from McBirnie and rhythmic clapping from Kardonne and crew. The Campbell composition “Liquid Geometry of Passion” featured an acid-rock segue into gorgeously operatic vocalizing. On the tune “Something Snide”, Kardonne’s voice took on a hip-hop meter and cadence. The wildly-packed and funk-infused, if slightly choppily delivered, “Moving On” closed out the first set.
The second set featured more of a global jazz cabaret vibe. Leading off was “The Seeds That Remain”, in which saxophonist Alison Au's tone and power belied her slight stature. “Three-Wheeler” was a nod to the great Kenny Wheeler, appropriately featuring a variety of timing changes. “Todash Chimes” started with a haunting trombone drone from Christian Overton, unexpectedly yet smoothly sailing into a lounge-cabaret groove. The closing number, “Spending Time”, opened with a similarly brassy salvo, with an appealing Latin-style montuno from Thomas Hammerton.
The Thing Is has indeed begun to establish itself as a band to watch on the Toronto jazz scene, with important potential to turn new audiences on to the art form; something further borne out by the range of venues they play from the Rex to the Concord Café. They are certainly a reflection of the diversity all around them, with big Things ahead as they continue to evolve as musicians and songwriters — led by Kardonne who at the end of the night had me reflecting fondly on a similarly charismatic and chameleon-like vocalist Rita di Ghent.
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