SFJAZZ presents “Freely Improvised Music” featuring Kenny Barron with Lesley Mok, John Patitucci, Jen Shyu, & Kalia Vandever
Robert M. Miner Auditorium
SFJAZZ Center, 205 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA
2:00 PM, Sunday, February 4, 2024

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[2:01 PM] {lights down; long rambling introduction by Mount Allen}
[2:09 PM] {band out; KB introduces the band‚ outlines the plan for this afternoon's show}

1. [2:11 PM] (KB says we're taking a journey into uncharted territory…)
   [3:13 PM] {KB asks if we want more…}
2. [3:14 PM] (The audience voted enthusiastically for more)
   [3:24 PM] {final applause}
   [3:26 PM] {bow up front; all off; show ends; lights up!}

• Kenny Barron: piano;
• Lesley Mok: drums;
• John Patitucci: contrabass;
• Jen Shyu: gayageum, vox;
• Kalia Vandever: trombone.

This afternoon's musical adventure started with Jen Shyu asking us to listen to our heartbeats and open ourselves up to love. I probably should have tried transcribing her pronouncements – I felt as if she were creating ritual in the moment. The band members let her go alone for a few minutes, but then began contributing to the vibe, causing it to coalesced into music and groove. Very cool.

As the musical pulse ebbed and flowed, I'd guess there were six to ten distinct episodes over the next hour before the band came to a full stop. I didn't try writing anything down because I was actively listening instead, and I didn't want to take myself out of the moment in order to scribble adjectives or feelings that the music evoked as it unrolled.

While some folks in the audience probably weren't prepared for the show (a scattering left early), I was surprised with the enthusiasm of those who were present. Must be another example of Garcia's licorice test!

Another surprise was how many folks were there with kids. I'm guessing that was wishful thinking (a jazz matinee will be just the thing!), as more than a few of the departures came from that subgroup. Happily, the kids were at least as well behaved as the adults, and despite the activity of folks leaving, there weren't any significant disruptions to the musical ceremony … Jen must have put everyone under her spell!

Big thanks to Ting for the photo gallery!

Whoa! This section is incomplete for now, sorry!

Back to the previous event! ☸ Up to the 2024 yearbox! ☸ Up to the 2024 event list! ☸ On to the next event!