You might know Randall Kline as the guy who gets on stage before SFJAZZ shows to shower praise on the musicians. Last night, the tables were turned: as the recipient of the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award before his upcoming retirement, it was Kline, founder and driving force of SFJAZZ for 40 years, who was lauded by the jazz artists.
This began right at the start of the all-star gala concert, when a processional of nine musicians played a traditional Santeria chant while marching down the aisles, each stopping at Kline’s third-row seat for a fist bump. And it carried through to the end, when a more formal testimonial at the podium came from pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, who cited Kline’s “talent, charisma, intelligence and experience” in presenting jazz in San Francisco.
The highest tribute, though, came from the music itself.
Playing at their highest caliber, saxophonists Chris Potter and David Sánchez duetted on Joe Henderson’s “Recorda Me.” Cécile McLorin Salvant delivered a buoyant, joyful “If This Isn’t Love” at the absolute height of jazz vocal artistry. Ravi Coltrane performed his mother Alice Coltrane’s pensive “Turiya and Ramakrishna,” and never before have I heard him play with more emotion, or depth. Truly, something was in the air.
Lost legends hung over portions of the set. Wayne Shorter, who died just two months ago, was remembered by Branford Marsalis, leading a probing take on Shorter’s “Armageddon.” Oakland trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire honored Ornette Coleman with a ferocious “Una Muy Bonita,” soloing while the rhythm section fell apart in all the best ways. At the concert’s most sublime moment, pianist Rubalcaba gave a breathtaking solo performance of Charlie Haden‘s “First Song.”
