Jack Sheldon's unmistakable trademark voice and trumpet playing reminds me of my days at jazz radio station KKJZ. Helen Borgers, who still remains as one of the on air program host after 25 years, used to and still does play and make very kind remarks about Mr. Jack Sheldon. With a voice like that, he could be his own bass! Jack's trumpet sounds strong and beautiful on "The Shadow of Your Smile". I love me some Be-bop and tonight, Jack Sheldon is doin' it like it should be done. Although he can play in many different styles and situations, I think that this quartet suits him the best. He brings his own sound engineer to make sure that he and his trumpet sound pure and right on the money.

Jack is quite the funny guy. He had the audience not only enjoying great music but, had them grinning from ear to ear. This is my first time experiencing Jack in a live performance. Although very familiar with what I used to hear at the station, he certainly can back up the hype.

Tonight, Jack is playing with some stellar players. Taking a detour from burning on organ to playing brilliantly on piano is Joe Bagg. Jennifer Lightham is one with her bass playing some very beautiful lines and rockin' rhythms. David Tull is outstanding, energetic and displaying some of the most amazing colors and textures providing quite the pulse for a band whose tempo can race as fast as a 20yr old track star.

Speaking of 20yr olds, we are joined tonight by some of USC's top performing jazz students. The Westin Hotel, in conjunction with the various Los Angeles Universities, is sponsoring a new student program entitled "FYI - (For Youth in Jazz) which offers an opportunity for the jazz stars of tomorrow to interact with world class artist and experience performing in front of a live crowd.

Performing at the breaks was the USC Jazz Combo directed by Jennifer Barnes. On piano was Ross Garren, Time Archer on bass and Jon Herbert on Drums with featured vocalist Natalie John, Same Saletta and Angela Esquirel. This group of outstanding up and coming players played and sang a few standards in a style all their own. These halftime sets are a great way for the audience to experience their favorite artist while previewing who will be the next hot young player and singer on the jazz scene of tomorrow.

Jack played the standards as well going back to his be-bop roots on tunes like "On Green Dolphin Street", Miles Davis's "Milestones" and more. Definitely the right choice of music for my taste and the audience concurred. I kept calling him the West Coast King all night. Not in the sense of smooth and mellow though, these cats really knew how to make Be-bop fly! Great harmonies with straight ahead melodies that kept the sound swinging, heads bobbin', toe's tappin' and everyone laughing and having a good time.

This group just recently recorded a brand new disc called "California Cool" that will be released sometime in October with another release soon to follow. Look for it on Butterfly Records!

LeRoy Downs
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