Jazz Pianist Marc Cary at 222

Marc Cary donned the ivories at 222 for an evening of dazzling jazz piano that called to mind Thelonious Monk's innovative spontaneity and command of the keyboard.  For pianists, myself included, who ponder the need for 88 keys, it's astonishing and humbling to note what can be achieved when an artist utilizes the full range of bass and treble keys.  Cary, nominated for Grammys for his recordings with Stefan Harris and Abbey Lincoln, whom he pays homage, filled the space of The 222 in Healdsburg on solo piano on Saturday night.  The evening began with Cary jaunting on stage donning an engineer's cap, plaid pants and turtle-neck and a long necklace that resembled a dream-catcher.  Personifying an aura of coolness and ease, Mr. Cary commenced saying,  "I'll let my playing do the talking for me. We'll talk later."  His first piece transitioned smoothly into four different compositions including Ellington's, his own composition and arrangement of a Pascual Church hymnal.  The evening had an overall imperial, innovative aesthetic played with with forte piano front and center.   Observing  Cary's hand fly over the keyboards was exciting to behold.  The intimate setting offered close viewing to key in on Cary's elegant fingers; each hand working their magic independently.  His wrists appeared staid in a horizontal position and it was surprising to see the agility and power stemming from the fingers.  Clay made use of his forearm coming down on the keyboards for a syncopated, pleasing vibrato.  In a later piece, Cary held the strings while playing only with his right hand.  The piano emitted a deep percussive, hollow tone.  With what little talking he did, Cary shared how he derived the title for my favorite performance of the evening, "Dreamlike." He said he heard the music and played it just like he dreamt when he awoke.  "Dreamlike" had a rippling of layered chords played at a churning tempo.   Perhaps, that's why Cary wears a "dream catcher" around his neck.  Perhaps, that's not a bad idea.