SFJAZZ presents the Branford Marsalis Quartet
2014-04-29
Miner Auditorium
SFJAZZ Center, 205 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA
7:30 PM, Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Back to the previous event ☸ Back to the 2014 yearbox ☸ Back to the 2014 event list! ☸ On to the next event!
[7:32 PM; lights down, announcements from Randall Kline]
It was a real joy seeing Branford and his group again – they are deeply committed professionals, and it shows! I was pretty impressed with Justin Faulkner – the new guy, having taken over for Jeff “Tain” Watts in 2009. Shoot. Has it really been that long since the last time I saw Branford? Or am i forgetting that I've already seen Justin in the band? Anyways, Justin kept the beat going just right, and he added plenty of razzle dazzle when the moment called for it. Nat and Joey, veterans of the group for nigh on 20 years (better check that too!) held things together just so – they let the tunes explode into space when the situation called for it, and reined it back in once the fireworks were spent. As might be expected, Joey played a lot more leads than Nat, but that goes with the pianists role, right? Branford popped in and out like a jack in the box. Laying it on thick when leading the tunes, then retiring to a stool behind Nat when it was time to hand things off.
The last tune of the set, As Summer Into Autumn Slips was my favorite of the night. Working off a pensive mood anchored by a repeating bell-like piano motif, the players found many sonic worlds to explore over the course of it's 20 minute journey. I knew it was time to go when the guys all stood as we applauded at the tune's end, but I was surprised to find that 90 min had slipped by. Dang! Where'd the time go? Must have been under the spell of Orfeo again!
Back to the previous event ☸ Back to the 2014 yearbox ☸ Back to the 2014 event list! ☸ On to the next event!