“Jazz at Lincoln Center” Milwaukee reviewed by Amy Menzel

This is simultaneously the easiest and most challenging review I’ve written. I’m not going to bury the lead here, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is a must-see performance. ★★★★★ That’s the easy part. The challenging part is to put what I saw, what I heard, and what I experienced into words. Here goes something…

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is currently touring with Naseer Shamma who plays oud – and does so beautifully, masterfully (and, already, I’m finding my words can’t do the artistry justice). The oud is an ancient 11-stringed instrument with a body that looks like it’s made from an oversized avocado pit. Each number in Thursday’s performance featured Shamma on oud and, somehow, he had the energy and endurance to dazzle in each piece.

The real bonus of watching this ensemble, of watching a jazz ensemble in general, but especially one so incredibly talented as Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, is that you get to see how impressed and amazed the musicians are at the talent that surrounds them. As each takes their solo, the others watch, listen, and react; they are as entertained as we are. It’s fun to see.

My notes from the show are full of revised declarations of my favorite piece. I eventually thought I had decided that “A World Without Fear” was my favorite…and then they played their last number, composed by Shamma and arranged by JALC’s Managing and Artistic director Wynton Marsalis (trumpet). Shamma titled it “With Wynton,” and Marsalis says he calls is “With Shamma” and I would say that dedication and anecdote is all you need to know, but the two trade fours in this piece in ways that seem to express that their admiration for one another knows no bounds.

Marsalis explains that, “This is a precarious and divisive time, and humanity desperately needs the wisdom that jazz was born to deliver: come together, be together, stay together. Easier said than done, but no endeavor is more important at this moment.”

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra delivers. And inspires.

Thursday’s performance at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (Milwaukee) was the first in the theater’s 3-show jazz series. Next up is Afro-Cuban All Stars on March 2, followed by Kandace Springs on April 20. More information can be found and tickets can be purchased at marcuscenter.org.

Maybe you’ll consider a road trip to Columbus, Ohio to see Jazz at Lincoln Center Wednesday, February 8? Otherwise, while you eagerly wait for Jazz at Lincoln Center to return to the Midwest, you can subscribe to watch the group live at jazzlive.com.

Find out more about the group at jazz.org and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

★★★★★