Charleston

JAC Jazz Series Website

Tenor Madness

MARK STERBANK & ROBERT LEWIS

Mark Sterbank – Tenor Saxophone
Robert Lewis – Tenor Saxophone
Tyler Ross – Guitar
Kevin Hamilton – Bass
David Patterson – Drums

Returning to the JAC Jazz Series is Tenor Madness. This unique performance features a concert-long duel between tenor saxophonists and Charleston jazz mainstays Mark Sterbank and Robert Lewis. The performance is a review of jazz standards that have elevated the tenor saxophone as well as traditional jazz tunes rearranged to accommodate this one-of-a-kind format. In addition to being master saxophone players and in-demand Charleston musicians, Sterbank and Lewis are also educators, leading the jazz departments at Charleston Southern University and The College of Charleston, respectively.

It was a great concert. A great way to end my stay in Charleston. I've met some nice and good musicians here. They started off with off course 'Tenor Madness' and after that they played a song of Wayne Shorter. After that there were some songs from MArk himself, they were very nice. I've heard him every concert of the Jazz Series and he's a very good saxophone player. He has a soft and good solid tone. He's also very open to the people he plays with on stage and respects the other musicians in his solo's and their solo's. It nice to see good musicians who listen to each other and have respect for the music and each other. He's also an teacher at the Charleston Southern University as so is Robert. Robert is also the Director of Jazz Studies at the College of Charleston, balancing his career between performance and education. Robert is also the lead alto saxophonist and a featured soloist with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, one of the premier big bands in South Carolina. Robert was the winner of the 1998 “db” award by Downbeat Magazine for “Best Jazz Soloist,” chosen from thousands of applicants around the country. They are a challenge towards each other but a blessing to listen to. The song Soul Eyes from Mal Waldorn was my favourite one of the evening. A song that's so nice and sensitive was so intense and sensitive played by both saxes that it really touched me! Thanks to the great skills of all the musicians on the stage. A great performance with great music what more can you get?

 Thanks it was true MADNESS!