Spike Wilner / Three To Go

In the early 90s, Smalls Jazz Club was a place where old musicians from the 50s and 60s came and hung out until the “wee small hours.” I let them have their way with me. Like a scene from the old jungle movies, naive safari goers are escorted by overly friendly natives to their camp but dare not ask what is cooking in that giant soup pot. These nice old jazz musicians were having me for dinner. They licked their chops as I doled out the money. Just as in the old movies, at the precipice of disaster, I was rescued in the nick of time by my hero, Spike Wilner.

Spike Wilner is one of those heroic figures who emerge in every age to marshal public taste in the arts, by starting and maintaining music scenes. Besides rescuing me in the 90s, Spike was also the catalyst for several other jazz clubs and in 2007 became the owner of Smalls, rescuing it once again.

Spike possesses a great spirit and his life is one of genius tried by adversity — real grievances, a world of pleasure, pain and trouble to school intelligence and make it soulful. I know Spike’s heart feels and suffers in may diverse ways. From joy to grief, I was present at those “late night” cutting sessions. I’ve seen Spike in the “midst of it,” snatch at those fearful joys, secretly hide silent grief, chase ’til dizzy high flying joys and often crash tumultuously, as pain and pleasure collide. Too far out on a chase, too many collisions and one can get lost; mortifying, yes, but at least the trip wasn’t boring, and you saw a lot.

Spike Wilner envisioned for this recording, not a passing caprice of projected tour de force, but instead the most finished, articulate expression of his peculiar genius to date. True, the ornaments of the bebop idiom are in tact but Wilner and company come at us with fresh, vividly distinct personalities. Creating a kaleidoscope full of fantastic detail, with ups and downs, turns and surprise endings, compels the listener to recognize something magical in the “sound,” like the remoteness of an exotic place. The results here are pure listening pleasure.

Mitch Borden, (Creator and Founder of Smalls Jazz Club) September 18, 2007