One thing I love about a jazz audience is that we participate and are always a part of the performance. We don't have t wait to share our appreciation, it is immediate. Ernie, the statesman and constant gentleman of gentle tones and fluid sound, is such a given in this equation. Gonzalo arranged these pieces with such heart. Such warm love blankets the walls of the Disney and the sound is pristine. Charlie's solos can make any venue seem intimate and Ignacio brushes a light coat that marches and provides the time and the forward movement.

Charlie Haden is positioned on a platform with just him, his bass and a monitor all to his self. This must enhance the resonance of the sound of his instrument. You could certainly feel it clearly as it penetrated your body. The temperature seems pretty warm but, I saw many of the musicians on stage were warming their hands. Their temperature has to be just right to keep the music flowing that way. The sound in this hall is so spectacular and I am so happy that jazz is on the calendar. The band is always morphing, adding and subtracting players as each tune sees fit. When you listen, you hear every player's contribution clearly, even as the instruments are interwoven in the fabric of each piece. No one has to shout or scream to be heard. I don't know Gonzalo personally but, I can tell you that he must be the biggest romantic. Larry Koonse joins the band on stage and the front line gets to chill because he has got this tune covered. He and Gonzalo exchange such beautiful melodies on "Nostalgia" with Ignacio providing the rhythm with the fire turned on medium heat.

Yes a beautiful set of mellow music, quite the contrast of what was to come....

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