The pianist Billy Childs may not be a super star of jazz piano, like Brad Mehldau, Robert Glasper, or Vijay Iyer, but he has been carving out a very high-quality personal path for about forty years and knows how to offer music lovers exceptional jazz evenings. This is exactly what happened on Friday evening at the Upstairs club, which was lucky enough to welcome him for the first of two evenings (four sets, therefore) that will remain in the memory. If you are reading this text on this little Saturday morning, know that there may still be a few rare spots left for tonight. Maybe.
Childs launched his program with 34 Skidoo by Bill Evans. The message is clear: there will be good energy, without any fuss but with a lot of class. Childs is a marathon runner on the keyboard: he maintains the pace without rushing, sometimes daring a few deviations, but the overall focus is unshakeable, assured, logical, and above all, inspired. He is with two giants of the rhythm section: Matt Penman on double bass and Ari Hoenig on drums. These two guys finely frame the leader’s discourse, but not only that. They are intrinsically part of the discussion, often stepping out of the pulsing skeleton to chat more freely. That said, we never lose the thread. A close and intimate symbiosis.
Childs then introduces one of his compositions, Tight Rope, followed by another, Like Father, Like Son, a tribute to his father. One of Childs’ early pieces, released on the album Twilight Is Upon Us in 1989. Exciting hard bop flights on a solid but subtly undulating rhythmic cushion. Next comes a classic by Dexter Gordon, another giant of Hard Bop.
Between the pieces, Childs briefly introduces the pieces to us, without any fuss, but sometimes with an anecdote, a reflection. Above all, with class, restraint, and authenticity. In the hushed atmosphere, crowded with attentive ears, at Upstairs, we are experiencing a jazz event of a high level of classicism and intelligence together. Upstairs is one of the best clubs in North America. Maybe in the world. This is the proof.
The set officially ends with New World Disorder, a committed commentary dating back to the era of U.S. President George H.W. Bush, but which applies with even more acuity in 2026. The sharp chords, the disjointed pulse bring a dose of modernity not heard until now. A curious way to end a concert. What the “encore” (Whisper Not by Benny Golson, a benevolent standard) quickly corrected.
The music lovers and other curious attendees at Upstairs were lucky: we haven’t heard much from Childs in a trio format in recent years. The recent release of the album Triumvirate, by the way, is a return to form after a thirty-year absence! Once again, the three masters will be there tonight, Saturday, July 4th.
Hurry up and call Joel (Giberovitch, the owner of Upstairs) to hope to get a spot (if there are any left, honestly I’m not sure).
