By his own athletic standards, drummer Milford Graves’ kickoff performance at the 18th annual Vision Festival (June 12-16) was somewhat restrained. There were no somersaults, no piggyback rides with unsuspecting listeners, no performance-art shenanigans in general. But the iconic 72-year-old played with great energy and depth of feeling, beginning the night alone on a talking drum toward the back of the stage.
This was Vision’s second year at the Brooklyn avant-garde space Roulette, and attendance was heavy. It was Graves’ turn to receive the customary honor for Lifetime Achievement, so opening night featured him with three ensembles, each representing a different facet of his career.
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