Above: Wynton Marsalis, artistic director, Jazz at Lincoln Center, performs Friday night at the Folly Theatre. Photos by Robert Folsom/The Star
Wynton Marsalis seemed to know that the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra was flirting with perfection Friday night at the Folly Theater.
"They play it better than it's ever been played," Marsalis said of his trombone section during his introduction to one of 16 compositions from the Duke Ellington canon.
While that was probably true, the brilliant accomplishment was a mixed blessing.
In a less-refined setting, perhaps an after-hours jam session at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, the orchestra might been transcendent, rather than absolutely exquisite.
Even so, the unflaggingly formal concert moved from strength to strength. And at two hours, including a 20-minute intermission, it flew by too quickly.
Marsalis characterized Victor Goines' seductive soloing on "Self Portrait (Of the Bean)" as "boudoir tenor." It was just one of several saxophone solos that seemed like early Valentine's Day gifts. The lush performances by Ted Nas on "Sultry Sunset" and Sherman Irby on "Warm Valley" were designed to put the capacity audience of approximately 800 in the mood for romance.
An exceedingly generous artistic director, Marsalis took only a handful of solos. Unsurprisingly, each was masterful. Most notable: he way his trumpet floated over an impeccably delicate chart on "In My Solitude," and his bluesy, conversational solo on "Creole Love Call."
"It was good then," Marsalis said of the latter composition from 1927. "It's good now."
During his explanatory remarks the loquacious Marsalis resembled a popular college professor. The 46-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner exhibited none of the stridency that has made him the jazz world's most controversial figure.
"We have so many great soloists in this band," Marsalis observed. "It's an embarrassment of riches."
He's right. All 15 all-stars in the orchestra shone brightly, but a few were particularly spectacular. They included saxophonist Walter Blanding's burly solo on "Satin Doll," Chris Crenshaw's spirited trombone work on "Old Man Blues" and the way adventurous trumpeter Marcus Printup took liberties with the melody and song structure of "Paris Stairs."
Few who were there are likely to forget Joe Temperley's boundlessly beautiful bass clarinet solo on "The Single Petal of a Rose."
The encore of "Take the 'A' Train" hinted at the evening's untapped potential. Rather than returning to their seats, the musicians lined up at the front of the stage to offer a final round of memorable
soloing.
It may seem churlish to complain about a spotless performance, but the band seemed on the verge of exceeding perfection as the concert ended.
| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star
The Harriman-Jewell Series was pleased to present the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for a third time to Kansas City audiences. Next up for jazz on the Series is "Home for the Holidays": Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra on Thursday, December 18, 2008. Tickets are on sale now as part of the Great Variety event package; check it out at www.harriman-jewell.org
Posted by: Tim | February 11, 2008 at 09:44 AM