Veteran reedman John Dierker (Boister, Lafayette Gilchrist) and cellist Zack Branch (Talk Show, Baltimore Rock Opera Society) packed Remington speakeasy WC Harlan on Wednesday for an evening of early 1900’s jazz tunes, with a tango or two thrown in.
Photo by Greg Bowen
About a year into the regular gig, the duo have cooked up a nimble, cagey sound that balances Dierker’s assertive melody with a rhythmic fingered cello. “Basically it starts with just playing jazz bass, but I also spent some time learning how to play chords on cello in a way where I sort of function the way you would see a guitar player play in that same sort of circumstance,” says Branch. His unusual technique combines the fullness of a rhythm section with the intimacy and flexibility of a single accompanist.
Photo by Greg Bowen
Both musicians cite Baltimore’s musical community as an inspiration, and for Branch, “Harlan’s is one of my favorites because I’m playing with a guy that I love, and it’s late at night—it’s on a weekday—so there’s always a few other musicians that can come out and hear. Last night people sat in, you know, we kind of blew the roof off the place a little bit”
Photo by Greg Bowen
Catch John Dierker with his quartet Mondawmin tonight at the Windup Space, and keep an eye out for the duo’s next appearance.
