On February 22, 2024, the Paramount Quartet—saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Asante Santi Debriano, and drummer Will Calhoun—delivered a memorable performance at the Village Vanguard. This engagement marked the quartet's debut at the iconic venue, following a series of shows that began on February 20, 2024. (jazznearyou.com)
The formation of the Paramount Quartet was a natural progression of longstanding musical relationships. Lovano and Lage first met in 1999 at Yoshi's in Oakland, where a young Lage attended a performance by Lovano with McCoy Tyner. Their paths crossed again at the Berklee College of Music, where Lovano has held the Gary Burton Chair in Jazz Performance since 2001. (bostonglobe.com) Debriano, a frequent collaborator with Lovano since the 1980s, and Calhoun, known for his work with Living Colour, joined the ensemble, completing a lineup that blended diverse musical backgrounds. (mim.org)
During their residency at the Village Vanguard, the quartet focused on Lovano's original compositions, exploring them with freedom and intensity. An impromptu tribute to John Coltrane, initiated by Lovano, led to a spontaneous 20-minute exploration of Coltrane's tunes, showcasing the group's improvisational prowess. (bostonglobe.com)
