If you have been desperate for years to hear a live jazz version of the theme song to "Sanford and Son" but never found a band that could deliver, then you need to check out The Russell Scarborough Trio, because they've got it. They've also got the theme from Star Trek, lots of originals, and about a zillion jazz tunes that, performed with the trio's hot improvisational style, are a joy to listen to. Sometimes instrumental jazz can leave you feeling like you are a five-year-old sitting in on a quantum physics lecture. And usually, the better the musician, the happier they are to leave you out of the loop. The Russell Scarborough Trio is an exceptional exception. Without sacrificing musical quality, they play with an energetic and accessible style that you don't have to be a jazz snob to enjoy.
At OffShore one Tuesday night, the music poured into the parking lot. Inside, all three musicians had their heads down, jamming away at one of their fiery original tunes. Picture This: Pianist Tim McDonald is performing one of his kinetic solo's that provide the driving energy for the band. His Latin style adds warmth to the sound and his technical virtuosity is impressive; I'd bet not matched anywhere on Shore Drive that night. Piano players tend to look twerpy, but Tim sits at the piano like a linebacker. He plays that way as well, his command of the instrument matching his artistic abandon. (He actually looks a lot like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, although like Goose in the "Great Ball's of Fire Scene", but beefy, like Ice Man . . .) His hands are all over the keyboard. He's so sure of his playing that it looks like he's faking it, like how you would look if you sat down at the piano and started banging away, imitating a jazz player. Its how you would look, maybe, but not how you would sound. The flurry of music that erupts is rightÐon.
Backed by subtle bass playing by David Hufstedler, drummer Russell Scarborough responds rhythmically with textured drum patterns. During the climax of the solo, the rhythms and sounds intertwine and begin to build. What one artist plays, the other echo's and elaborates. As the tension builds, smiles start to creep on their faces that burst into grins as the music comes crashing back to the main theme. This rush is contagious: everyone at the bar explodes into applause.
Talking to the band after the show reflected their musical style. Hufstedler hangs back, quietly, while Russell and Tim are as enthusiastic as thirteen year olds in their first garage band. "[The music] is a conversation." McDonald says. "Three people cannot talk at the same time." McDonald and Scarborough generate the tension, while Hufstedler provides the structure. It is the balance of these sounds, everything having a place, which makes the trio such a good band.
The trio has been together since July, when Scarborough heard McDonald fooling around on a keyboard in a music store. They played a song together, felt an immediate connection, and have been together since. (Hufstedler and Scarborough have been in bands together for more than thirty years). It can be lonely out there as a good musician in an ocean of wannabee's, and the trio is obviously ecstatic to have found players that bring out their best abilities.
Russell Scarborough says that what he likes best about the band is that he gets to play "whatever I want." This is not Russell being a prima donna; rather it is a testament to the band's ability and willingness to turn anything into a jam. Russell is also psyched to play with a badass like Tim: "He's the closest thing to Oscar Peterson that I've ever had in my band."
This is coming from someone who knows. Scarborough was voted the 2002 jazz musician of the year by Ninevolt magazine, and has played with some big time musicians such as: Tommy Newsome, Cliff Gallup and Woody Shaw. He's played with Hufstedler since back when Virginia Beach still had trees. Hufstedler also plays acoustic bass for the Virginia Symphony. Tim is experienced as well; a classically trained pianist since the age of seven, he also plays with the Virginia Symphony, and is a Nashville recording artist, and teaches piano and midi at the Armed Forces School of Music at Little Creek.
Regardless of these glamorous histories, The Russell Scarborough Trio is happy to be The Russell Scarborough Trio. Tim loves the depth of each performance and the fact that every night is "fresh and brand new." Despite his hot shot playing, Tim is modest and gives much credit to the rhythm section. "When Russell speaks, we listen. He is the master."
They spent the weekend of October 16th recording an album. Since the only studio in town with a decent grand piano was bought out by a big bad corporation, and is so cool they no longer work with local artists, the CD was recorded right in Scarborough's living room, with Joe Welch of Clay Garden Studio. The album features all original songs, as well as the bands signature salsa interpretations of Three Blind Mice, and Beethoven's Fur Elise. (You've never heard anything quite like it, although you may have heard something, somewhat like it . . .) Anyway the band is pleased with the result and eager for the CD to be released. The album will be out before the end of the year and will be available at shows and at the website . . .
Now is your chance to be in on the secret, Hampton Roads. If you've ever seethed with jealousy when some a-hole says, "I saw Dave before he was Dave," You had better come check out The Russell Scarborough Trio, every Sunday at Central 111, Wednesday's at Aroma Coffee House, and every other Tuesday at OffShore. These guys won't be around for long. You could be the next a-hole bragging .