The Doesy Doe hosted true rock royalty the other night when bad boy drummer Ginger Baker showed up with his latest band, Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion.

 It’s surprising to see Ginger Baker perform at all these days much less have the opportunity to see him in such an intimate venue as The Doesy Doe.

 Ginger Baker has lived his life on the extreme edge and now at 75 some of his mobility has suffered probably due in part to past lifestyle but mostly because of the degenerative spinal arthritis he endures, but make no mistake his drumming is still intact. He mentioned that he felt lucky to be alive since he had just been released twelve days earlier from an ICU unit recovering from pneumonia. But once seated and armed with his drumsticks Baker is rejuvenated and will still amaze the audience with his musical prowess.

After years of raising hell and general debauchery Baker has more or less settled into the role of the pure jazz drummer that he has always identified himself. It was jazz bands that Baker started playing with when he first started out in the 50’s and he still argues that Cream was based on jazz and not rock and roll.

 If you attend one of his shows don’t expect to hear the Cream or Blind Faith songs that made him famous. No extended drum solos will be on the menu either. What you will hear is Baker playing the way he’s always wanted to play. The power drumming from the 60’s has given way to a more subtle beat as Baker immerses himself into the music that seems to temporarily cure all the aches and pains which he now lives with.

Baker has amassed a trio of standout musicians for his Jazz Confusion project. Sax man Pee Wee Ellis has been in the business as long as Baker. Ellis is featured on many of James Brown’s recordings as he was with Brown’s band for many years. He has also recorded with Van Morrison and Maceo Parker. Ellis’s love of the Afro-Jazz world beat sound is a great fit with Baker’s musical vision and plays an integral part of the quartet’s cohesiveness. Ellis’s performance on the Wayne Shorter penned “Footprints” was nothing short of brilliant.

Son of British jazz master’s John Dankworth and Cleo Lane, bass player Alec Dankworth, not only fills out the rhythm with his bottom end sound but he can also effectively take over the lead role on many numbers by applying his skills on some incredible solo work. Baker has said Dankworth is quite possibly the best bass player with whom he has ever worked with.

Rounding out the rhythm section is Abass Dodoo on percussion. Baker referred to Dodoo as his friend and body guard during the band introductions and judging from his stature he may very well be. Dodoo and Baker’s drum sparring during the show was impeccable. The two played off each other creating an African influenced beat that was predominate during the evening’s performance. One number that really stood out for the drumming duelists was “Aiko Biaye”, a traditional Nigerian song arranged to Bakers liking.

Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion is touring in support of their recent release called Why? The evening’s show featured the complete album which the band meticulously performed. Why? has garnered some very high praise from various jazz publications and the jazz community since its release and it was easy to understand why after experiencing a live performance.

Ginger Baker is back with the sounds and songs that really matter the most to him, straight up jazz with just enough rhythmic world beat to suit him and anyone who cares to listen. This is one show not to miss regardless of the absence of the more familiar Cream or Blind Faith songs. Ginger Baker moved on and away from that part of his story years ago. As fans we should remember those days but also take a closer look at what he’s all about now. You won’t be disappointed.

Set list:

Footprints

Twelve and More Blues

Ain Tecmouchant

Ginger Spice

Cyril Davis

St. Thomas

Aiko Biaye

Why?