Surrounded by the excitement of nearby Santa Barbara Film Festival enjoyers, I found my way up a hidden staircase in Victoria Court. Although I’m familiar with SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, it always captivates me with its ambiance – dimly lit rooms, a lively audience, and eager performers.
Soft orange lights beamed down on glistening instruments, and the chatter of an excited crowd filled the room as I finally made my way to the front. This evening’s event featured City College’s Big Band jazz ensembles, and I couldn’t have been more excited.
The bustling noise within the club hushed as The Good Times Band harmoniously serenaded the crowd with upbeat trad jazz as though they were all one moving piece. Conducted by Eric Heidner, the ensemble received constant applause.
From fusion to swing jazz, the sets beautifully combined brass instruments with drums and piano, transitioning between soft notes and danceable beats. Saxophonist Julio Longcob left an impression, performing many breathtaking solos.
Conducted by Ed Smith, the New World Jazz Ensemble followed. Beginning with a piece called “Uptown Rendezvous” by Gregg Karukas, this performance set the tone for the rest of the night. You could never guess they only had two nights to rehearse, with the unbelievable coordination between performers and their conductor.
Vocalist Angel Valenzuela blended seamlessly with the beautiful instrumentation. Trading soft laughs and enthusiastic glances amongst each other, it was apparent the band loved what they were playing. You could hear it in the music; alluring solos and clean transitions showed how prepared they were for the evening.
By the second hour, I realized I hadn’t moved – nor had anyone else. The closing band for the night was the Lunch Break Band. Offering slightly different jazz styles, conductor Andrew Martinez led the first set with contagious energy. As the bewitching sounds grew, so did the audience’s captivation. On the piano the whole night, 16-year-old Cainan Birch performed impeccably in each jazz style.
If there were any room to spare in such a filled venue, I am certain everyone would have been up dancing. Glancing around, you could see how difficult it was to stay still. Heads nodding with the tune, legs bouncing harmoniously, hands drumming along, and eyes completely lit up.
A standout Latin piece called “Goombay Smash” invited the crowd in with its uniqueness and offered a taste of how broad jazz can be. Ending with easy swinging blues, a howling audience applauded for the inimitable performances.
Almost three hours had passed, and I was utterly disappointed the show couldn’t continue. As I watched the crowd, I heard everyone commenting on how beautifully each band represented one of the oldest and most loved genres of American music. The opportunity to experience a performance like that was something I thought I’d never be able to do, and I felt my love for jazz grow.
City College’s Big Band Jazz ensembles perform again at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club from 7-9:30 p.m. on March 18. General admission is $15, and tickets can be purchased online or at the front door.
