SFJC 7 Are On The Way

The SF Jazz Collective rolls into town next week to play at the world class nonprofit performance hall we have here in an acoustically blessed former church. The local newspaper asked me to write an advancer.

YAKIMA, Wash. -- For a few weeks each year, seven of the busiest musicians in jazz suspend their leadership roles and come together as the SFJazz Collective. Their 2009 tour will bring them to The Seasons on Wednesday.

According to alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon, the band is having a great time.

"It's a lot easier," the Yakima favorite said, "when you start getting into the music and don't have to worry about making mistakes and being stressed about playing the parts right. Then it just gets easier and turns into fun. We're now starting to get to that point of this tour."

Zenon, who has played The Seasons twice with his quartet, was calling just before a sound check for the Collective's concert in Albany, N.Y. He has been a member of the SFJC since its founding. His colleagues in the septet are tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, trumpeter Dave Douglas, trombonist Robin Eubanks, pianist Rene Rosnes, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Eric Harland.

To read the whole thing and see a photo of the band, go here. If you're in the neighborhood, see you at the concert. I'll be the guy giving a very short introduction. Be sure to come up and say hello.