On March 22, SBJS held its monthly jazz event at SOhO featuring an excellent afternoon of jazz with a cleanly tight and appropriately loose group – the Christian Jacob Trio with Ray Brinker on drums, Trey Henry on bass, and Jacob leading from the piano. The musicianship was intelligent and powerful. The creative players were on a mission to fill the hall with happy listeners – and it did just that. Things got started with “I Fall in Love too Easily,” followed by “Time After Time.” Next up from Christian Jacob Trio’s CD, Live in Japan, was “It Never Entered My Mind.”
The Sinatra songs were offered with much feeling and included some nice counter-melodies from the bass and piano. The ensemble was right-on from the first note. My comment on “Too Close for Comfort,” was “Fireworks!” A lovely ballad, “Always and Forever,” followed. Jacob talked about his history with “Tea for Two” before playing a delightful, sophisticated version of it. A very different take on “I’ve Got Rhythm” closed the set.
The second set began with a charming offering called “Even Mice Dance” and continued with “Little Eyes,” a piece evocative of friendly jungle animals peering from the trees. An impeccably clean, straight-ahead version of “Stella By Starlight” balanced the afternoon nicely. “Innocence” elegantly closed the show.
Stanley Naftaly KCSB-FM, Jazz Straight ahead
521 N. La Cumbre Rd. apt 52
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 682-5426 phone/fax
stanley@joyousnoise.org
Photos by Mark McDonald