Photos by Andy Argyrakis

A mere glance at bassist Stanley Clarke’s discography is enough to drop some jaws, starting with the sheer quantity of solo and collaborative endeavors, followed by the kind of session and side project company he keeps. 

Besides winning three Grammy Awards on his own, another as a bandleader and one with jazz fusion forerunners Return To Forever, also starring Chick Corea, the 72-year-old trailblazer appeared on albums by Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Stan Getz and several dozen others. 

Add in The New Barbarians alongside The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, plus Animal Logic with The Police’s Stewart Copeland, and Clarke is as revered as they come, which meant instant standing room only status at the living room-like Space in Evanston.

During the earlier of two packed performances in the acoustically-ideal environment, the headliner and a red hot band of relative newcomers, 4EVER, revisited many of his most masterful compositions stretching back to the early 1970s. 

Remarkably, each of them came across as if they could’ve been created this very second, although that shouldn’t come as any surprise given they came out of the “Seventh Galaxy” in the first place.

Throughout 90 otherworldly minutes, Clarke’s virtuoso playing on both the electric and stand-up bass would’ve been enough to stand by that claim, but the five additional musicians, anchored by Chicago’s own drummer Jeremiah Collier, was as adventurous as they come.

Of course, the leader flexed his soul, funk and rock chops on countless occasions, though he was similarly generous in sharing the spotlight with the younger players, who did him proud by ensuring the future of jazz and otherwise is in more than capable hands.

But before focusing too far on the future, Clarke and company turned towards a treasured partnership with George Duke during an encore of “Oh Oh” when the entire audience rose to its feet to join in the call and response, while some even jumped right back in line to see what the late show might bring in terms of spontaneity and sheer legendary status.

For additional information on Stanley Clarke, visit StanleyClarke.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Space include Jared Rabin Band (Sept. 8); Toronzo Cannon (Sept. 9); Janiva Magness (Sept. 10); Young Dubliners (Sept. 11); Dr. John Cooper Clarke (Sept. 12); Carise Blanton (Sept. 13); Ian Matthews (Sept. 14); Willi Carlisle (Sept. 15); Chris Pureka (Sept. 16); Michael J. Miles (Sept. 17); Jahari Stampley (Sept. 17); Rachel Kilgour and Connor Garvey (Sept. 18); The Dig 3 (Sept. 19); Delmark Records 70th Anniversary Celebration: Bob Stroger, Billy Boy Arnold, Mike Wheeler, Dave Specter and Sheryl Youngblood (Sept. 20); Jalen Ngonda (Sept. 21); The Lil Smokies and Town Mountain (Sept. 22); Amendola Vs. Blades (Sept. 23); Anavitória (Sept. 24); Blue Monday (Sept. 25); Jonathan Hannau and Pinson Chamber Band (Sept. 26); The Howard Levy 4 (Sept. 27); Marcus Rezak’s Shred is Dead (Sept. 28); Joan Osborne (Sept. 29) and Bill & Jilian Nershi (Sept. 30). For additional details, visit EvanstonSpace.com.

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