I was expecting an interesting evening of music from the SFJAZZ Collective, but I had no idea just how much fun it would be.

5/8 of SFJAZZ Collective (Robin Eubanks, Avishai Cohen, Matt Penman, David Sanchez, Miguel Zenon)

The concept seems simple: each year since their inception ten years ago, they chose a modern jazz composer (Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Stevie Wonder, to name a few) and performed work by that composer as well as new work composed by the members of the Collective.

For this year’s tenth anniversary season, they are performing work from the previous jazz masters they have covered and work from present and past members of the Collective.

SFJAZZ Collective (Avishai, David and Miguel, l to r)

The current members of the Collective are Miguel Zenon (alto saxophone), David Sanchez (tenor saxophone), Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Matt Penman (bass), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Warren Wolf (vibraphone), Edward Simon (piano), and Obed Calvaire (drums).  There was not a weak link in the group.

Obed

Edward

Warren

The set list was quite interesting. One number they performed, “Crystal Silence” by Chick Corea, is one I had the privilege of hearing Chick perform with Gary Burton. I was extremely pleased that the version they performed this night was on a par with that of Chick and Gary.

Set list

I thoroughly enjoyed the way they perform, letting each member take solos as well as introduce the songs. This is a true collective in which each member of the eight-person band has equal participation.

Apparently each member has their own band as well, and I look forward to seeing some of them perform.

Miguel

Possibly because they were about five feet away from me but definitely because they are amazing players, watching Miguel and David play was especially thrilling.

David

Something that impresses me when I’m sitting close to the performers as I was this night is that they make it seem effortless. I understand that’s because they are masters of their instruments, but it never ceases to wow me.

I plan to see this Collective every time they pass through Boston because it will always be a fantastic show, regardless of the composer who is featured that year or the members of the Collective. I’m thankful that a friend suggested the show, breaking my self-imposed 12-day break from attending shows!