Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment

Smith leads his band through a slew of classic jazz numbers and original compositions that captivated the audience in Warren.

Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy performed for Sonoma State University last Thursday in Warren Auditorium, and the audience welcomed them to the stage with a round of applause.

The seats were filled with a wide variety of people, each of them there for a different purpose.

Many students came out with their pens and note pads, vigorously taking notes for their music classes, while an older crowd came simply for the music and culture itself.

The show got to off to somewhat of a rocky start, as the band used the first song to warm up and work out all of the kinks.

The band members gave directions to their technical support, until the sound levels were just right.

But by the second song, all of the quirks had been adjusted and the sound quality had improved tremendously. The band performed "Sister Cheryl" by "The Late Great Tony Williams," as introduced by Smith.

"Tony was one of the greatest drummers, a great innovator," said Smith.

Smith introduced a majority of the songs they played, telling a little about the history of them, who wrote them, what they are about, and how the band came to play them.

Smith's Jazz Legacy played each song with enthusiasm, and their high energy remained consistent throughout the night. Not once did they lose vigor or appear tired during the show. Each of them dressed casually, which set the mood for a comfortable environment, and their casual disposition relaxed the room.

The band members communicated with one another on stage in a way that went smoothly, and benefited their overall performance. Their ability to communicate and adjust together showed their flexibility, and was most likely an outcome of how long they have been playing together.

Another one of the songs Smith introduced to the audience was an original piece written and composed by Walt Weiskopf, tenor saxophonist for the band, titled "For Steve." The song was dedicated to their good friend Steve Marcus who died unexpectedly in 2005. It was an upbeat song that the band played with smiling faces, the bass player dancing in the background as the song went on.

Weiskopf composed a number of the songs played by the band, including "The Peacocks" which had a slower, more seductive quality to it.

Continued...

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