PREVIEW: THE STRANGER, SEATTLE, WA, December 27, 2001

By JAMES KIRCHMER

MATT JORGENSEN +451, GREGG KEPLINGER TRIO (Rainbow)
In the world of hiphop, the "old school" tag tends to be reserved for those who've managed to stay true to the spirit of yesteryear while still keeping things fresh. In today's jazz vernacular, however, there is no fully equivalent expression. As with the "oldies" crowd, the nostalgic pleasure centers of the majority of jazz's aging patrons are stirred by the stylistic superficialities of "traditionalists" rather than the primarily spiritual connections of "old school" types--such as the two fine drummers on tonight's bill. Both men are steeped in tradition but don't wallow in it. Of special note is the more "out there" Gregg Keplinger, an underground drum-scene celebrity known not only for his soulful free-jazz convictions, but also for his world-class expertise as a drum maker (for Elvin Jones) and drum tech (for Matt Cameron). He'll be keeping it real with some fellow Seattle-based veterans of distinction, Wally Shoup and Dan O'Brian. If today's jazz scene were to suddenly revert back in time to its streetwise roots (à la today's hiphop), players like Gregg and Matt would certainly feel more at home--as would I.