Steve Hobbs Vibes Man

Walking out of Julie & Julia tonight I caught the last tune of what must have been an amazing set from the Steve Hobbs quartet. Incongruous to say the least. There is something about vibes, some indescribable connection to the medulla oblongata that Mr. Hobbs knows well. Dancing behind his vibes on a mild September Durham night Steve Hobbs was poetic, rambunctious and righteous.

You just don't expect to hear Gary Burton-esque quality vibes outside of Urban Outfitters at Southpoint Mall on Friday night September 11th. Whoever booked Mr. Hobbs to fill a slot normally plagued by too loud juniors I thank you. Serendipity can be a marvelously fun thing. Finding The Steve Hobbs band tonight was a special gift.

A quick trip to iTunes and Mr. Hobbs albums now reside on my iPod next to Gary Burton in all of his manifestations (Quartet, with Metheny, with Corea). This is as it should be. Why it took chance to discover such a massive home grown jazz talent I have no idea. Playing vibes is hard. The dexterity of a of a major league pitcher, Miles Davis-like timing and a dancer's ability to move, contort and shift body around golden bars are just beginning traits of great jazz vibraphonists such as Mr. Hobbs.

I've seen Gary Burton in concert several times. Tonight, Steve Hobbs rivaled any Burton concert including the one in Chicago at Orchestra Hall with Chic Corea. I don't diminish Burton but praise Hobbs. Vibes players live a difficult lot. Most Jazz musicians don't receive fame and fortune like their rock brothers ans sisters. Jazz fans make up for lack of numbers with fever and ardor. Seeing Miles Davis was one of my most commented on ScentTrail posts. He who has receives such a jazz communion is forever touched. Read Seeing Miles Davis 2 to see what I mean. Vibes men like Hobbs are strange third cousins to trumpet, piano and bass.

Great vibes music is obscure because VIBES ARE HARD. There can't be a hundred players on the planet who could make vibes sing as well (don't forget the great jazz vibraphonist Tito Puente). A search on Wikipedia turns up 25 vibraphonists confirming vibe playing greatness's rarity. Playing the vibes could easily become a lost art except for love, skill and dedication from players such as Steve Hobbs. Mr. Hobbs is a teacher and that too is as it should be so we don't lose a special art.

Steve Hobbs and his band floated a unique combination of staccato and smooth, loud and soft, energy and pause, love an hate through an inky black September 11th Durham sky tonight. There are many meanings in such clear passion and love for something so special and obscure. Tonight of all nights, Mr. Hobbs taught me something I already knew - serendipity is a magical thing.

Thanks Steve.

Martin (Marty) Smith
Durham, North Carolina
September 11th, 2009

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