Sustaining a big band is one of the hardest tasks in jazz. The economies of scale required to keep over a dozen musicians together makes the effort daunting. Kermit Ruffins, one of the most successful musicians to emerge from New Orleans in the last two decades tried it, but eventually realized it was unsustainable. Irvin Mayfield’s New Orleans Jazz Orchestra has managed the task, but the group rarely plays in New Orleans.
Imagine how difficult it becomes when the music being performed is all original, adventurous and challenging. Yet the guitarist Jonathan Freilich perseveres in pursuing his vision.
He also has some of the best players in town supporting his efforts. Tonight they play upstairs at the Blue Nile. The band includes Janna Saslaw on flute; Chris Kohl and Evan Christopher on clarinets; Steve Bertram on bassoon; Aurora Nealand, Brad Walker, Joe Cabral, Derek Douget, and Martin Krusche on saxophones; Ashlin Parker and Mike Fulton on trumpets; Jeff Albert on trombone; Nobu Ozaki on bass; Helen Gillet on cello; Doug Garrison on drums; and the maestro Jimbo Walsh.
