Music Reviews

Jul 6, 2008 - Wynton Marsalis and the all-star Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra play Reno's Artown Festival

By jack Neal

Before a huge and adoring crowd, the superb 16-piece Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra played the Grand Theater at Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort Saturday night (7/5/08).

The usual critical adjectives used to imply brilliance seem somehow inadequate to the impact of the orchestra’s Reno concert emceed by a charming and glib Wynton Marsalis. Marsalis was cool and fun without getting in the way of the business at hand – a concert exploring a vast expanse of the jazz repertory.

The orchestra played two sets of six extended numbers each. Let’s avoid the normal review trap of commenting on each (extensive notes were taken, but without a play list accuracy becomes fleeting and accuracy IS more than casually important). Regardless, the concert opened with an ultra-smooth arrangement of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and included such audience pleasers as the upbeat spiritual “Down By the Riverside,” and the memorable pop hit “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

The programming and arrangements were impressive, but what impressed most is the orchestra’s all-star collection of talent, and how so many soloists can also become glued-close companions as an ensemble. Seamless is a good word. Suave and sophisticated apply handsomely. Crisp, clean and classical – as in the best of the best also works.

The LCJO’s ensemble work is as resilient, as transporting and as perfect as the world’s leading symphony orchestras. There was not a flaw to be heard. Nothing was overbearing. Everything was keenly placed. If there was fault at all, it’s in the orchestra’s absoluteness of execution. Polished and note-perfect there was also something missing - the excitement of anything going just a tad off center. With sure-thing playing, the adventure of a really live live performance was missing.

As the orchestra’s cohesive force, Wynton Marsalis did little center-stage solo work himself, and that’s probably as it should be. He was generous in his praise and naming names for the virtuoso solo, after virtuoso solo, after virtuoso solo that made the concert so astonishing.

In addition to Marsalis, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra also stars trumpeters Ryan Kisor, Sean Jones, Marcus Printup; trombonists Chris Crenshaw, Vincent Gardner, Elliot Mason; on reeds Walter Blanding, Victor Goines, Sherman Irby, Ted Nash, Joe Temperly; pianist Dan Nimmer; bassist Carlos Henriquez; and drummer Ali Jackson.

Other than absolute perfection, the concert’s only other drawback was its late start (twenty minutes). Fans who care enough to arrive on time (there was little evidence, if any, of late arrivals) should not be kept waiting.

The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra was presented as part of the Reno is Artown July festival. With the exceptions noted, it was another memorable Artown event.

Artown continues until July 31 (2008). Tonight’s performance (7/6/08) in Wingfield Park (First Street and Arlington Avenue in Reno) is at 7:30 p.m. and features the excellent Sierra Nevada Ballet. For information about other Artown events call 775-322-1538.