On December 7, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis delighted audiences with two holiday shows at West High School that featured special guest singer Cécile McLorin Salvant. Here's what we heard back:
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I liked the whole concert. The musicians and the singer were marvelous. I just wish the concert had been longer.
Joe
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Really what can one say? Exceptional leadership of an ultra-professional group that needs none.
They could have played on until the second show and we wouldn't have left our seats. I hope you signed a contract with them for the opening season of the new building. Maybe they should be the initial concert!!!
jjbmuss
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We came, we tapped our feet and moved our shoulders, we wanted more, much more as this was the very best giving the very best--we left with warm thoughts of a splendid evening of music and song.
Hancher attendees
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Can't say enough positive about the performance – I was beyond thrilled. Even my husband who usually does not enjoy the performances I drag him to hear was excited at the end of the performance. The vocalist was remarkable in the sound she produced – what a treat for all of us to hear her. Hope they come back asap.
Dorothy Fowles
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Surprisingly, as someone who is not enamored by jazz, I really enjoyed the performance. And the vocalist--wow.
Mel Sunshine
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Terrific!!
Gene
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I was blown away by the pure voice of Cécile McLorin Salvant. I'm sure, as Marsalis said, we were at the beginning of a fabulous vocal career. Of course the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra was off the charts also. My second chance to hear them in person and the Christmas tone was especially great.
Not to like? They could have gone on a bit but in Wynton's tradition; Go straight ahead and then quit.
A wonderful opportunity.
Steve Williams
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We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to hear such a great group of musicians. The auditorium was perfect for this and we appreciated the option of having an early performance.
Linda Abel
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We had a wonderful time at the Jazz at Lincoln Center concert. I was so pleased to see so many young people there. We loved the new singer that they introduced.
John and Darlyne Neff
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Wynton was great!!!
Reginald Cooper
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This was an excellent performance and musically sound. The vocalist was great!!!
Bill Hood
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What a wonderful concert Sunday evening! We at this house have nothing but good things to say about the Lincoln Center concert. Let's have them back when the new Hancher building is open.
Nancy Granner
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The concert was fabulous!
Bonnie Penno
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Loved Wynton Marsalis’s group, their energy, and their incredible talents. The vocalist was very talented and seemed to connect well with the audience but I went to see Wynton Marsalis.
I would have MUCH PREFERRED it be their usual jazz/blues music as that is so much more fun, improvisational: I wasn’t aware of the Holiday theme when I booked the tickets as I never go for those. Another surprise was that the lights weren’t turned down in the West High auditorium during the performance. I think it would have lessened the effect of being in a high school auditorium. Food for thought.
I saw the Marsalis group in Ann Arbor Hill Auditorium two years ago, apparently an annual venue for them, and it was SO HIGH ENERGY and SO MUCH FUN that I expected the same this time. I would certainly go to another of their performances, just not a holiday one.
Marti Mount
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Absolutely most awesome holiday concert ever!
Kevin
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Wow! great show, I enjoyed the music and Wynton's sharing style and his humor. Really a classic Hancher evening.
Paul Collins
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Great as always. This group must return for the year the new Hancher opens. It’s a perfect fit for that honor.
Karen Drake
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The Best! Could not have been a more enjoyable performance! Can’t stop thinking about this wonderful evening of amazing music! Thank you Hancher!
Patty Rossmann
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Great show, fantastic musicianship & Wynton’s ability to connect with the audience and share anecdotes about the music is always special. You could have them here 3-4 times a year and it would never get stale or old. Bring them back soon!!
Dave Hesli
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Super Swing!
Sherwood Wolfson
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We enjoyed the concert very much...loved Cecile's singing and the versions of holiday music.
Mary Merchant
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We’ve seen Wynton over the years at Hancher, in fact, he was the last performer (with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra) we saw at old Hancher. This holiday show was one of his best. It was swing. It was holiday. It was excellent. The intimacy of West High school was appreciated. It almost felt like we were sitting in the living room with him talking to us. A great show!
Jean and Cary J. Hahn
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My party of 4 enjoyed this concert very much. Wynton Marsalis was entertaining between songs, and the music was superb. I actually kind of liked the more intimate atmosphere at West High School. The soloist had a very unique voice that she seemed to change depending on the song or the range. If you were only hearing the concert without the benefit of seeing, you might have thought there was more than one soloist up there. The glasses were a little distracting, but overall we enjoyed this portion of the program also.
Deborah Hurd