and my old man
went to the Saville Theater
to see Scott Martin's Latin Soul Sextet.
This delightful combo plays a sparkling brand of straight-ahead jazz with a Latin accent that is a treat for the eyes and ears. Mr. Martin earned his stripes playing with such legends as Tito Puente and Poncho Sanchez, and the skill that sets him apart is his ability to blend the wide range of styles he has been exposed to, and create a sound uniquely his own, even when he is playing standards that have been known and loved by generations.
Lest I give anyone the wrong impression, Neither Jack nor I were the least bit familiar with the name of Scott Martin when it popped up on the Jazz Live schedule. We did a little research, listened to some samples, and decided he was worth a try. Boy, are we glad we did! We have gone from ignorant dabblers to dedicated fans overnight.
Before delving further into the band, a word about the venue is in order. Jazz Live is a program of KSDS 88.3, a publicly supported jazz and blues station here in San Diego. There are very few operations like this, as the jazz and blues genres don't have the vast support of the more mainstream forms, and so commercial stations that depend on selling lots of soap and breakfast cereals don't have much use for it. The last time we heard this being discussed, we were given to understand that there are three stations in America doing similar shows, and we are blessed to have one of them right here in paradise. Anyone interested in these magnificent artforms can hook up on line right here. Note that you can stream the station with the "Listen Now" button; I'm sure they'd be glad to welcome you to the family.
The Jazz Live program is funded primarily by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Tickets are free for members, the thank-you gift the station provides in lieu of the stylish grocery bag you get from NPR. The Saville Theater, where the shows are held, is an intimate setting where every seat has an unobstructed view of the stage, and the back row is not much more than fifty feet from the stage. In fact, we chose to sit in the back row for this show, and here are the photos Jack took from his seat:
Okay, a little zoom work on this last one, but still... Every member of this band deserves mention, and every member could headline in his own right. Everyone gets his moments in the spotlight, generating rounds of applause and howls of approval, and yet there are no egos that can be detected below the surface, struggling to overshadow the others. The secret to their brilliantly crafted sound seems to be that, beyond a band, these are six good friends doing what they love. It shows. For the record, they are:
Scott Martin, Saxophone
Rick White, Guitar
Ernie Nunez, Bass
Warren Ontiveros, Drums
Mark Massey, Piano
Don Littleton, Percussion
The intimacy continued after the show. Being instant converts, we bought their newest album in the lobby, Only Trust Your Heart, a more traditional collection of Brazilian jazz in the style of Jobim and Gilberto, and on hand were Mark Massey, Warren Ontiveros, and Scott Martin himself to sign our new acquisition, and even take the time to briefly talk about their music. They proved to be gentlemen of the old school, as well as musicians of the first order.
It is a rare event indeed when every aspect of an activity goes trouble-free and without hassle. Jazz Live is certainly one of them. From the free, convenient parking, to being greeted at the door by Jazz 88's on-air personalities John Phillips and J. Otis Williams, from the comfortable seats to the after-concert reception in the lobby, there is nothing in the process to cause one single frown or taint the experience with an oversight. If you are fortunate enough to live in the San Diego area, you must get in on this wonderful presentation, and even if you aren't, there is plenty to enjoy on line. Hook up and stream some of the best music you'll ever hear; I promise you won't be sorry!
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