One could not ignore that the space that the performance was held. The church space was spectacular, murals painted across its domed exterior. Although I happened to miss the opening moments of the performance, I did become aware that there were opening prayers done, as well as closing ones. It was absolutely a church on a sunday, which many people would say very different things about.
While the music was playing, however, it was just that: the music. The four saxophonists filled the space with sound, many times by themselves alone. The show was highly solo oriented. More often than not the performers just played the head of the tune, followed by alternating solos that each lasted up to a minute long. The skill level present in the players that were able to do this was astounding, especially being so
young.
They kept the flow of the songs going, all for a particularly long time. However, as much as I can’t bash them for their technical skill, I found something missing from their music. Quite literally it could have been their bass player, which was not present at the time. This was most likely out of the control of everyone playing, but it still would have been nice to have a greater sense of pulse in the music. The balance achieved between the two alto and two tenor saxophonists was also less than ideal.  One would think that at least a trumpet player or two would fit in well with the ensemble. If you have seen this particular orchestra elsewhere, you would know that they have had some fantastic ones. You couldn’t really distinguish one great solo from another.
The open atmosphere of a church, not exactly designed for jazz, didn’t help either.  I was waiting to experience that key moment in jazz where I really felt a section of a solo right where I feel, and it never came. It was almost a bit sad, since I know many of the players on that stage could easily have had me leaving their own home, the jazz standard itself, with amazement. Sadly, I felt like I was leaving a church, which you don’t want to feel with jazz. The grand finale of when the saints go marching in while marching around the room was certainly a highlight of the show. However, it would still be far from the glory of an actual Jazz Standard performance, which is far more swingin’.