The bill was split between two bands that ostensibly belong to the same school, but by the end of the evening their differences were clear.
Those closer to the hard core of jazz funk would have been attracted by the all star line up of the David Sanborn Band, which featured Marcus Miller, Steve Gadd, Don Grolnick and Hiram Bullock. They opened the evening, on time, and their all too brief, 45 minute set cast them in the role of warm-up artists. Many seats in the vast auditorium were empty and though the band were appreciated by the faithful, the reception really failed to do justice to a rare collection of talent. Repertoire was little different from that paraded around Europe this summer, though arrangements were adapted to accommodate a solo from each player, and all left the stage with their reputations intact.
It was soon obvious that Al Jarreau would attract the evening’s biggest gate and loudest plaudits. Though his roots are in jazz. Jarreau does not allow himself to be limited by that genre. His music draws on any number of influences, and his performances are nearer multi-media spectacles than mere concerts. Backed by an eight piece band of flawless professionals, Al led us through a colourfully arranged and choreographed set that would have loosened even the starchiest beret. Material was drawn from his latest album. High Crime, from earlier releases and other sources, and included Teach Me Tonight and Chick Corea’s Spain. Jarreau trades a rather awkward line in patter, but the main business of the evening, the music, was smooth as velvet.