Well, we did it again! The Santa Barbara Jazz Society brought another super band to SOhO in November. We are so fortunate to be able to bring the very best jazz to our fans. Pianist Jon Mayer and his veteran musicians, super tenor player Doug Webb and legendary drummer, Roy Mc Curdy showed us that they still had the right stuff along with a youthful, 25 year old bassist, Will Ryan. The choice of material was great along with the opener, an upbeat jazz standard, “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes”. The band all played their hearts out with super solos and “traded fours” with drummer, McCurdy.
“Chelsea Bridge”, another lovely standard by Billy Strayhorn, was the vehicle for some beautiful tenor solos by Doug and the band had a great groove going with Randy Weston’s “High Fly”. Besides a rousing “Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy, we heard some very nice originals by Jon and Doug. Young bassist, Will Lyle, took us thru a melodic solo on a Latin rendition of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and was also featured on almost every tune. One of my favorites with Will and the band was Cedar Walton’s tune, “Bolivia” played at breakneck speed. Saxophonist Webb, announced that it was our own Jon Mayer who was on the original famous recording of “Moment’s Notice” featuring the late, great John Coltrane which the band then played and played well with Doug standing in for Coltrane! Yes, it was another great afternoon of straight ahead jazz in Santa Barbara.