Great to hear variegated soul-touching music from such talented musicians led by the master, Lew Tabackin, and such a privilege to hear them in an intimate venue. The best things in life may not always be free, but $23 for two sets of this is pretty close. I find myself these days tilting toward gigs and albums without sax because so many sax players under 50 seem addicted to loud and fast, and they blow right past the heart and soul. Tabackin reminds us that this wasn’t always so and doesn’t have to be today. It’s not that his music is “mellow.” He plays with energy and dynamic range. But he knows that virtuosity should serve feeling and emotion. I’ll be looking for gigs by side musicians Steve Shinji Whipple and Jason TIEMANN, and also hoping Michiko hosts more gigs open to the public.

Great to hear variegated soul-touching music from such talented musicians led by the master, Lew Tabackin, and such a privilege to hear them in an intimate venue. The best things in life may not always be free, but $23 for two sets of this is pretty close. I find myself these days tilting toward gigs and albums without sax because so many sax players under 50 seem addicted to loud and fast, and they blow right past the heart and soul. Tabackin reminds us that this wasn’t always so and doesn’t have to be today. It’s not that his music is “mellow.” He plays with energy and dynamic range. But he knows that virtuosity should serve feeling and emotion. I’ll be looking for gigs by side musicians Steve Shinji Whipple and Jason TIEMANN, and also hoping Michiko hosts more gigs open to the public.