"When I listen to jazz, it’s all about how you can interpret it, see the colors that it makes in the rhythm." Photo by Justin Maxon for The New York Times

Recently the TRaC Music Group went to one of the Leading From The Bass concerts at the Jazz Gallery Residency on Spring Street, New York. The group saw Linda Oh, a world renowned bassist who is recognized for what may be considered the magic and style of jazz music. In her opening statement, Linda explained that she had taken time off during her U.S. tour to come to New York to perform. I wasn’t sure what surprises that she might pull in her music. The music was kept so tense and precise, yet so relaxing and smooth. She would sometimes change notes, raise the sound high, and from out of nowhere make it low. It wasn’t too loud or too soft, right in the middle. She kept the bass in tune; the drums, piano and sax were added extra rhythmic performance.

Some of her songs that were intriguing were “Ebony,” “The Upside,” and “The Sirens are Wailing.”  Linda introduced her songs by first starting the song slowly to ease the mood of the audience,  and then gradually making it fast and exciting. This was something that I would never forget. When I listen to jazz, it’s all about how you can interpret it, see the colors that it makes in the rhythm. The song “And When I Wake” is another example of this; its rhythms were always surprising. One minute her band was keeping it short and sweet, and then either the saxophone or the piano would add an extra layer of sound to the mix making it more exciting.

The mixture showed the audience that jazz is still in style and it should never be forgotten at all. The musicians were in sync and the Jazz Gallery received a standing ovation.

If you want to hear more of Linda’s music, find out where her next show is or to find out more about her, check out her website.