Teodross Avery & The Kei Akagi Trio Commemorate The Miles Davis and John Coltrane Centennials at Winifred Smith Hall

Kei Akagi Trio with Teodross Avery
Winifred Smith Hall
Irvine, CA
Centennial Concert Celebrating Miles Davis and John Coltrane
February 12, 2026

How do you cut to the chase when contemplating the work of these determinative demigods of jazz? How do you do it in just four tunes?

In a brief intense performance, pianist Kei Akagi and his trio, bassist Darek Oles and drummer Jason Harnell, joined by Teodross Avery on tenor and soprano saxophones, focused on fire and nuance, passion and cool reasoning.

The set started of with Coltrane's reworking of Eric Dolphy's "Red Planet," a tune that evolved into "Miles' Mode." Avery's voice was clear, direct, free, and to the point.

Akagi's comping delicately vibrated like the wings of a butterfly while also sustaining Avery's solos with engaging commentary.  

This was followed up by a deft, straight-ahead reading of Coltrane's "Moment's Notice." Filled with dynamic tension and controlled energy, the familiar and joyful tune was like a visit from an old friend.

Akagi was in Miles' band in the '80s and brought an authoritative air to "Nefertiti." His solo alternated between rapidly arpeggiated passages and dreamy interludes before sneaking back to the head.  Avery, on the soprano, insinuated the melody before bringing it all back home, head in the clouds, feet on the ground. The show ended with a rendition of "So What" that seemed to mirror the rhythm of breathing. The time, key changes, and dynamics felt deeply organic and in the moment.

Bassist Darek Oles brought stoic precision and subtle intonation throughout the evening's performance. Drummer Jason Harnell was a ticking time bomb and an effervescent presence. His periodic explosive punctuations recalibrated the time masterfully.

 

Setlist

Mile's Mode; Moment's Notice; Nefertiti; So What.

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