Gillies attracted a large crowd for its ongoing Tuesday night jazz with Howard Brofsky — and with good reason. Cornetist Brofsky was joined by an old friend, pianist Eugene Uman, artistic director of the Vermont Jazz Center, who had been away, teaching in Colombia, for the better part of a year. I'm happy to say he has returned with his chops intact with a clean-shaven head the only noticeable change.
Uman is back to stay and has quickly immersed himself in the jazz world. He's teaching at three summer programs, including the VJC's Summer Workshop. It's a real boon to the area's arts community, not just the music scene, to have Uman back, and it was pleasure to see him and hear him play at Gillies last night.
I chatted briefly with Uman in between sets and was full of praise for the team of people who have been running the Vermont Jazz Center while he was away. It's true. Uman was missed, but the VJC rolled on, staging great concerts, teaching students, hosting jam sessions and planning for another summer workshop season. I expect big things from the VJC in the future.
I thought about all that as I watched Tuesday night, but mostly I just enjoyed hearing Brofsky and Uman play.