The Wynton Marsalis Septet at The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is a 1300 seat theater that, due to Covid, has been closed to performances for over a year. With Covid restrictions lifting and live music slowly making a come back, what better way to start than with The Wynton Marsalis Septet including Wynton Marsalis, Chris Crenshaw, Victor Goines, Carlos Henriquez, Dan Nimmer, Walter Blanding and Obed Calvaire. In an effort to keep the patrons as safe as possible only 10% of the house capacity could be sold and music fans anxious to hear live music again quickly bought the 300 tickets the venue was able to sell. Scattered amongst the orchestra, mezzanine and balcony seats the audience may have looked sparse but after each tune they made up for it with cheers and applause that sounded like a full house. It didn't hurt that the seven musicians on the stage filled the room with a sound that rivaled any orchestra. Marsalis and company started the night with 4 pieces from his new album The Democracy! Suite and ending with A Love Supreme by John Coltrane. Marsalis's septet set a high bar, let's hope the rest of the season reaches that height.