Monterey 2008: Coming Attractions
Next Generation Jazz Orchestra – 1:00 p.m. – Arena
The Monterey Jazz Festival is more than a three-day gathering. It is also an educational institution, with extensive programs ranging from workshops in local schools to a two-week Summer Jazz Camp.
The centerpiece of this effort is the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, a crack big band made up of top student players from around the country. Selected in an intense competition at MJF’s annual Next Generation Festival in April, these young artists gain invaluable experience touring festivals around the world, interacting with professional mentors (including Maceo Parker and Christian McBride) and playing the heck out of challenging arrangements.
On the Arena stage, trumpeter Nick Frenay burns through “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise,” seemingly willing the sun to dispel the morning’s clouds. Chad Lefkowitz-Brown takes the spotlight in “Something’s Coming” (from “West Side Story”), wailing nimbly on tenor sax over a bouncy chart borrowed from Dave Grusin. And baritone saxophonist Owen Broder handles a difficult tempo and wide-open solo space with aplomb in Joshua Redman’s punchy tune “Jazz Crimes.”
But it’s vocalist Richard Saunders who steals the show, his sweet high tenor drawing inspiration from Michael Bublé but also carrying hints of Chet Baker, Mel Tormé or even Jimmy Scott. His smooth delivery on “You’ll Never Know” brings several members of the audience to their feet, and bodes well for another day of fine music in Monterey.
Filed Under: MJF/51 - 2008 • Monterey Jazz Festival
I love how active the jazz community is in fostering the next generation of performers. I think more than any other form of music, jazz really does a great job of keeping an eye on the past while ensuring the future. It must be a thrill for these young performers to be able to work with such stars — and an equal thrill for the stars knowing they’re helping to make sure jazz has an active tomorrow.