This concert was a big band explosion. Thirty years ago, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton were part of Monty Alexander's trio: Hamilton’s incredible drive and Clayton’s down-to-earth bass lit the fuse on Monty’s fireworks. Today, they travel the world with their own big band, which is no less explosive.

Front-woman Patti Austin may not be a member of this same family, but with an uncle like Quincy Jones and a godmother like Dinah Washington, we can be sure that she’ll be cooking up something special: A family reunion of superlatives was guaranteed!

Beat Blaser