We went to hear the Seattle Womens Jazz Orchestra (SWOJO) on Bainbridge Island. It was a small, select audience playing at the Bloedell Reserve. The group played a number of jazz songs, mostly latin, with a view of the Puget Sound too. As I watched the soloists I was struck with the ephiphany that the soloists owned their presentations and did them their way. There was no feeling that hey, she is copying Getz or she is copying Bird.

 

The solos were as varied as the players. Jeremy Jones was on drums and he was phenominal. His solos practically stole the show. They were startling as well as sublime. Tina Richardson was hot too. She was dramatically different from what you might expect a tenor sax solo to be about. With great sense of timing and a clear understanding of the jazz progression, her solos were a joy to listen to.

 

SWOJO can also be found on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/swojoseattlewomensjazzorchestra. They are also one of my friends at mySpace_Gandalfe. Enjoy the music.