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Review Sat May 05 2007
Here come the horns!
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra should be commended for allowing as much jazz as they do. For a genre whose vital signs are either in decline or stronger than ever (depending on who you ask), they always attract artists with something to prove and who bring their best to an appreciative audience.
Last night, Roy Hargove brought an impressive array of musicians to Symphony Center, and showed the fire and command of the trumpet that first got him discovered by Wynton Marsalis.
The show was a bit late in starting, but when they finally got started, it didn't stop. Playing over two hours with no intermission, Roy played first with his Small Ensemble, a five piece sound machine with special guests pianist Hank Jones, saxman and flutist Frank Wess, and Italian jazz vocalist Roberta Gambarini. Their set included an interpretation of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and the Gambarini-assisted Fools Rush In and Sunny Side of the Street.
The Big Band got their time in the sun, and the array of sheer power was almost overwhelming. Hargrove alternated between conducting and grabbing the trumpet or flugelhorn and jumping in for a solo.
The artists brought their A games, and the balance between soft swing and rollicking bop was like sweet and salty in a box of Cracker Jack or a bag of Garrett's. While he may not hold onto the "young lion of jazz" mantle for very much longer, Roy Hargrove continues to do great things with the art form, both on recordings and live.