ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Famed jazz musician Darryl Yokely and his Sound Reformation band brought their dazzling talent to the Englewood Public Library on Feb. 22.
The quartet of Yokely on tenor saxophone, Zaccai Curtis on piano, Madison Rast on bass and Wayne Smith Jr. on drums, performed a program of unique jazz pieces for dozens of Englewood residents and visitors from around Bergen County. Over 60 people of all ages filled the library’s main floor as well as the second floor.
Yokely, a vocalist as well as saxophonist, has performed for music legend Quincy Jones and has played with Motown legends The Four Tops, The Temptations, The O’Jays and singer/songwriter Rhonda Ross. He has also worked with many great jazz musicians such as Orrin Evans, Nasheet Waits, Ralph Peterson, Jack Walrath, Frank Lacy, Valery Ponomarev, Eddie Allen, and Camille Gainer Jones.
Yokely has performed in some of the most prestigious venues in the country, including The Kennedy Center, Madison Square Garden, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
He continues to enjoy an active career performing nationally and internationally, as well as maintaining an active career as an educator.
Yokely formed his band Sound Reformation in 2010, and they released their debut album “The Void” in 2012 to excellent reviews. The band’s popularity catapulted to fame with the release of their second album, “Pictures at an African Exhibition,” on April 20, 2018, and has received numerous accolades including praise from The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, All About Jazz, and was listed in the Top 10 jazz albums on Band Camp.
The New York Times has described Yokely’s music as, “A hustling, declaratory spirit and a broadly Pan-African take on acoustic jazz, with touchstones spanning from the Antilles to the Eastern Cape of South Africa.”
This description was apparent in the performance that Yokely and the Sound Reformation band gave at the Englewood Public Library’s on Feb. 2. The group played pieces inspired by the literary work, “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a Colombian novelist, journalist, publisher, and political activist.
The repertoire that included, “Un Mundo en Soledad,” “Macondo,” “MelquТades y Los Gitanos,” “El Duelo,” “Despues de la Guerra” and “Mensaje Revelado,” received thunderous applause from the audience.
Even the youngest children, including Yokely’s 3-year-old daughter, Surmira, were delighted by the music.
After the performance, many people were eager to purchase CDs and chat with Yokely and his band members. The group was elated at the warm reception that they were given.
“I enjoy performing at the Englewood Library,” Yokely said, “because the people who come here really like music. It’s a great community!”
Concertgoers returned Yokely’s compliment.
“He is fantastic, and we’re lucky to have him here!” exclaimed Michael Hass.
“Awesome,” remarked Gregory Cayo.
“Spectacular!” said Charlotte Bennett-Schoen. “I never knew that someone could write music to go with that whole literary genre.”
Vyonne Butler commented on the library’s concert program in general. “It’s wonderful how the Englewood Library brings great talent and variety to our community!”
Darryl Yokely brought his wife and daughter who love to watch him perform.
