Review: Monday Madness Review 3/13/22
They came to play…and play they did!
It’s not often that we get to hear a 20 piece jazz band here in Santa Barbara, or anywhere, for that manner, but that’s exactly what happened this month. Some of the players were familiar, like old friends that we’ve seen and heard through the years, but there were also new, at least to me, great musicians in the band, as well.
The first selection was a tune that we all knew, Billy Strayhorn’s Take the “A” Train with a swinging solo by saxophonist, Jake Bonneau. But many of the tunes were not well known jazz standards with names like Torque, The Second Race, and The Phrygian Five and played to perfection by the talented band members. Band Director and tenor player, Andrew Martinez, soloed on Wanna Hear Beer, along with trombonists Mike Evans and Stephen Hughes, with pianist George Friedenthal, and sax player Simon Blondell. Jazz Society’s Vice President, Sandy Cummings was tapped by the band to sing Deddle’s Blues, a tune made famous by vocalist, Diane Schuur. Tenor player, Justin Claveria, showed his considerable chops on that one. There is not enough space to share all the wonderful selections and players, however, my personal favorite was Ellington’s lovely, Isfahan with the beautiful sax of John Soldo.
All afternoon we could really feel the joy bouncing off SOhO’s walls….such fabulous players coupled with great tunes and super arrangements…pure bliss! Hopefully, we will be lucky enough to make this an annual affair and to host this remarkable group again and again. We are so blessed to to have this treasure hiding in plain sight and in our own back yard!
Monday Madness Big Band March 2022
