Impronedjeljak & Jazz u Močvari: Barry Altschul & The 3Dom Factor @ Močvara, Zg, 05/05/25

A Musical Time Capsule Through the Heart of Jazz

One of the greatest living jazz drummers, Barry Altschul, performed last night at Zagreb's Močvara club with his trio 3Dom Factor, leaving the audience in a state of gentle trance. It was his second visit to Zagreb with this exceptional ensemble, and it's hard not to notice that this concert exceeded the expectations of even the most die-hard jazz aficionados. The musical chemistry between the three musicians, their freedom of expression, and deep mutual connection created an unforgettable evening.

Močvara was beautifully filled—a testament to Barry's continued magnetic pull on the Zagreb audience. His partners in the trio were bassist Joe Fonda, longtime collaborator and fellow New Yorker, and Jon Irabagon, the brilliant saxophonist who has already earned a cult following among local jazz fans. Irabagon, on his fifth visit to Zagreb, played both tenor and sopranino saxophones, bringing a wide range of color and expression to the trio's soundscape.

The evening was introduced by Capri, the host and organizer of the "Impronedjeljak" series, whose voice trembled slightly with understandable nerves, given the caliber of musicians on stage. From the first notes, it was clear we were in for something special. Despite the acoustically challenging space, the sound engineer did a phenomenal job—every instrument was clearly audible and balanced, yet intimate enough to preserve the delicate nature of the performance. This was a concert without domination, a performance where all three musical voices intertwined in constant dialogue and complementarity. Barry Altschul once again proved why he's considered a living legend. His playing energy, dynamic sensitivity, and incredible technical prowess were breathtaking. At 82 years of age, he drums with the precision and passion that would put many younger players to shame. Effortlessly switching between sticks and brushes, he played with textures and rhythms, steering the audience through a jazz time capsule. Joe Fonda was the heart of the evening on double bass—rhythmically and melodically tireless, stylistically diverse, and always smiling. At one point, he dipped into ragtime waters, surprising and delighting the audience and his bandmates alike, who instantly followed his lead into a new direction. Fonda often initiated these shifts, guiding the music through blues, neoclassical moments, and minimalist passages that led to the end of the concert's main set. Jon Irabagon served as the trio's connective tissue. His ability to listen and respond subtly to what the rhythm section offered was extraordinary. Though the youngest member of the band, he played on the same wavelength as Barry and Joe. His tenor sax roared when needed but also whispered when the music called for silence and space. Toward the end of the concert, he switched to sopranino, adding another layer of wonder and playfulness. His mastery and presence were acknowledged by the audience, who showed their appreciation before and after the show by purchasing his records and CDs—a sign of how deeply he's valued here. By the way, his album Dr. Quixotic's Traveling Exotics is a must-listen—a true gem of contemporary jazz.

The concert itself was structured as a single, continuous composition, lasting around an hour. The hypnotic trance the trio established was so powerful that no one in the audience moved—no trips to the bar or restrooms. Just pure immersion in music.

Naturally, the audience demanded an encore. The trio returned to the stage and reignited the room with a ten-minute piece in which Irabagon wove fragments of Monk's music through his own lens, crafting a strange and stunning homage to the jazz giant. But the night didn't end there. After a short break, an improvisational jam session followed featuring Capri (soprano sax), Jon Irabagon (tenor sax), Joe Fonda, and Boris Janje—both on double bass. Though this quartet was formed spontaneously, their communication felt almost telepathic. Capri kicked things off, Irabagon followed, and soon both basses erupted in a rich tapestry of textures. A standout moment was the simultaneous use of two double basses with bows—a rare sight even in experimental jazz. Sadly, part of the audience had already left, but those who stayed witnessed a truly unique moment of spontaneous creation.

Barry Altschul and the 3Dom Factor trio reminded us that jazz, at its finest, is a dialogue between the past and the present. Watching Barry play with such ease, freedom, and passion at 82, while Fonda and Irabagon intuitively followed and complemented him, was both inspiring and moving. In an era of scattered attention and shallow experiences, this night was a reminder of the profound impact music can have when approached with respect, knowledge, and an open heart. Močvara was the place where it all happened.

jura // 06/05/2025

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