Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at Sonoma State

Friday night Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra performed some of his original compositions along with some classic jazz standards for the great pleasure of the guests at Sonoma State Univ. The opening score was an original work by Marsalis entitled "The Struggle to Become Aware."  I enjoyed the composition which had a big band swing sound and a cheerful, upbeat rhythm.  It didn't bring to mind struggles or conflict. The piece had a flute solo performed by the only woman to grace the orchestra.  It may be the flutist was a substitute for the evening.  She wasn't photographed or listed listed in the program.  Delightful to see gender integration but the soloist struck too many shrill notes.  Her warbling on the flute was the only suggestion of a struggle and solo down beat of the evening.  Wynton introduced the next piece by Ellington, "Concert to Coolie" and the soloist Ryan Kaiser on trumpet.  Kaiser has long been with the Orchestra. His playing the trumpet with a plug made the instrument speak, "wha wha wha" from the 40s/50s epoch.   Ellington's music is the epitome of sophisticated jazz.  One pictures women in evening gloves, scarlet lips and cigarette holders amid swanky nightclubs. A second Elligton number was a movement from his "Far East Suite." I was intoxicated by the mystical, Arabian arrangement and will listen to the work in its entirety.  Cushioned in a musical mood indigo, I was jarred by the next, suprisingly discordant shift.  An original work by Marsalis written for the Chinese Ballet Co. entitled "Gold Story."  It's a testimony to his versatility, originality and scope,  although the first movement was arhythmic.  I strained to envision it to accompany ballet dancers.   Pianist, Dan Nimmer, performed solo on the two highest octaves giving a chiming, Asian aesthetic.  The piece merged east and west sounds into a lofty arrangement from which grand-jete's would soar.  The final work on the program was Marsalis' work to choreograph for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.  This was the consummation of the world's best dance theater and jazz orchestra.  The only way this could've been better would've been with Ailey Dancers on stage.  Still, it was easy to visualize Ailey dancers sinewy moves and jazzy flair in long,  slinky strides.  As I listened, watched and grasped the music, I noted musicians' and audience's  moving in harmony; emulating the visceral reverberations involuntarily.  Wynton was garrulous between numbers sharing amusing anecdotes.  He performed three lengthy solos from Ellington, Brubeck and his own music demonstrating his triumphant, jubilant virtuosity.  Marsalis is already an established jazz legend.  His regret to date - missing Duke perform when he was nine opting instead to play ball.