On Monday, January 14, Campbell Hall was filled with soothing jazz tunes and energetic improvisation. The Monterey Jazz Festival All-Star Band made their first ever Santa Barbara appearance as part of the festival’s 50th anniversary tour.
Jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard, known for his renowned film scores, was amongst other featured artists including multi-talented veteran James Moody, pianist Benny Green, and soulful vocalist Nnenna Freelon. Blanchard brought along his young rhythm section to complete the diverse collaboration.
Crowds young and old packed Campbell Hall for the venue’s first performance of the quarter and were able to experience the feel of a private jam session with popular jazz charts and rounds of improv. Freelon and Moody gave the audience good laughs during their comedic scat performance.
Throughout the night viewers were in high spirits and the evening concluded with two standing ovations. The All-Star band responded to the generous applause by performing crowd favorite “Misty,†the perfect end to the night.
The annual Monterey Jazz Festival, first held in 1958, is the longest running jazz festival in the world. During its long history, the festival has featured legendary jazz artists like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Billie Holiday. The non-profit festival is a showcase of artistic excellence, but its main objective is to fund jazz education programs throughout the country.
In addition to the concert performance, Grammy winner Terence Blanchard spent the morning in Geiringer Hall hosting two master workshops for UCSB musicians.
“Jazz master classes are an excellent form of outreach to the youth,†said Blanchard. “It is also a chance to make a lasting impression on the community.â€