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This was the second time the much in demand saxophonist has played a gig at the airport. His earlier appearance was about five years ago. According to Weber, "This is a cool gig. I appreciate the opportunity to play here."
The audience appreciated it as well. Several times they interrupted a riff with spontaneous applause. The crowds in attendance were unusually large. At one point, as incoming flights arrived from Houston and Newark, they swelled to well over one hundred. Several arriving passengers actually pulled their luggage over to a chair in front of the stage, and took time out to listen and decompress from their flights. Jazz has that magnetic attraction for many people.
Weber describes himself as open and expansive on different musical influences, including traditional straight ahead jazz, Latin, smooth, rock, and pop overlays.
Playing a 1962 sax made by Buffet, whose phenomenal mellow tones were hypnotic and transfixing, the performer led his tight band in a varied set list of traditional and newer compositions.
Included were "Comin' Home Baby" by Bob Dorough and Ben Tucker, popularized by Herbie Mann and jazz singer Mel Tormé, "A Thousand Years" by Sting, "Baile", an original composition on Weber's 2002 CD, "Put It Where You Want It" by The Crusaders, David Sanborn's "Full House", the straight ahead bluesy soul jazz classic "Sugar", a trademark tune of saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, "Fragile" by Sting, and other melodies.
Accompanying Jason Weber were his sidemen Michael Leroy on keyboards, Mark Hunter on bass and a very animated Rodney Zinnen on drums. Leroy is known as a musician's musician, and is highly respected by other performers. He was once sought after to direct the San Diego Summer Pops. All four players were in the grove, at an especially sweet spot, all evening. Three of the four were groomed in what the San Diego Airport Examiner calls "Paul Schaeffer hair styling". The Canadian band leader on the David Letterman Show is rakishly bald, making it impossible to have a bad hair day.
In the audience was another swinging saxophonist, Bob Campbell of the Jazz88 All-Stars, who had played at the airport on September 11, looking like he was really enjoying the show.
San Diego Airport's music producer Loren Smith, confided that he works six months in advance on scheduling talent for the Airport's Performing Arts Series. He is now firming up the January to June, 2010 schedule. Setting up the stage, sound board and speakers, lighting, and chairs takes about an hour. New for this show was a beige area rug in front of the stage, which gave the venue a living room touch. Plants and muted lighting may be added at future shows.
Next up on the Airport's live music agenda is the funky latin sound of the Bill Shreeve Jazz Band, on Friday, October 23 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:15 P.M. All shows are free to airport visitors and travelers, but as Mastercard would say, "The memories are priceless."
Posted October 15th, 2009 by ectophile
