The Art of the Duo: Paul Hastil/Ray Rideout and Dave Stoler/John Greiner, June 21, 2008

The Art of the Duo series began on June 21st with two piano/saxophone duos. Both pianists were featured together last winter in the inaugural concert of the newly-revived MMC. Paul Hastil, a transplant from the east coast where he once studied with Jaki Byard, has been a mainstay on the Madison jazz scene for twenty years. Madison's own Dave Stoler has recorded and performed around the country, gaining him recognition as one of the top emerging jazz pianists in the nation. It seemed fitting that these two pianists should kick off the summer duo series with two equally unique saxophonists.

Paul Hastil teamed up with saxophonist Ray Rideout, who has been performing in Madison and Milwaukee since the sixties. These two veteran musicians opened the concert, combining forces to explore the history of jazz that included everything from jazz standards and ballads to a reflective Hastil original. The intimate setting showcased a rapport between Hastil and Rideout that could best be described as some serious fun.

The second half featured Dave Stoler with Wausau saxophonist John Greiner in a special Madison appearance. And what a welcome addition to the Madison scene! Greiner plays with a commanding and expressive tone on both tenor and soprano saxophones, which was showcased in (and inspired by) the John Coltrane version of the ballad "Say It Over Again." The closer came from the book of one of the premier saxophone/piano duos, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock; and like them, this duo performed it as one with great empathy and style. Greiner and Stoler together revealed two master players who are perfectly matched when it comes to the art of dialogue.
Reviewed by Jane Reynolds