this was an amazing night!
playing to a packed house, ALL 10 musicians were ON!!!
the musicians were clearly enjoying themselves.
james moody (at age 80) sang his theme song (moody's mood for love) to the delight of the crowd, with one twist -- a rap segment near the end!
winard harper on drums was SMOKIN'! at one point he broke a stick and wrecked a cymbal -- sending it flying, pieces of wood scattered accross the stage -- and he never missed a beat
the ensemble opened with a wayne shorter number (night something?) and then anamazing rendition of "sweet Peaches"
if you think that you have heard nestor torres play, you are WRONG. this was not the valentine's day cd nestor. he PLAYED HARD!!! his duets with melton mustafa (who was at the best that i have ever seen him) and then with abraham laborial were superb.
and speaking of abraham laborial, he is simply the most amazing electric bass player since jaco. in addition to using his 6-string bass as a percussion instrument, he also at one point played it like a flamenco guitar!
donald harrison on alto not only kept up with this crew but sparkled! george cables on piano was crisp and cool, nathan davis played his soprano sax (straight horn) with lightning speed and randy brecker on trumpet WAS all that!
i have saved the best for last. pat martino was simply AWESOME. his solos were so amazing that the other nine musicians on the stage simply watched, slack-jawed, in amazement. his hands moved like a blur -- simply the BEST jazz guitarist i have ever seen perform.
my wife and i left there blown away!