This past Sunday I had to first-time experiences with Jazz. First, it was my first time going to the Jazz Standard, a very classy venue/restaurant which is popular for having great current Jazz musicians play there. Secondly, it was my first time seeing a jazz orchestra live! And boy, it was great! It was Maria Schneider‘s Jazz Orchestra, whom I’ve also never heard of before but all the jazz cats at Queens College were raving about her so I had to go. The place was packed, there was even a line to get in! Thank god, my friend who had invited me was already inside waiting for me in seats right next to the band’s accordionist (and just the fact the this mini orchestra had an accordion, already made them cool for me).

I truly enjoyed her compositions which had a bit a classical twang to them. One of the songs began with a piano solo that could have been mistaken for Debussy. It was lovely. It was an orchestra full of great musicians. There was not one soloist I didn’t like. It was also great to see that the band itself, seemed like they were enjoying themselves: I never saw so many smiles during a performance before! So if you are ever down to spend a little more money than a usual jazz show may cost, definitely spend the money on Maria Schneider’s Jazz Orchestra. They are totally killin’!

Check out this song. It’s so good it’s angelic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJy_RXOgsts

Here’s one of the tunes with accordion!