Jeff Oster brings his trumpet and flugelhorn to The Fenix in San Rafael, CA with a fusion team of Michael Manring/b, Celso Alberti/dr, Frank Martin/key and Todd Boston/g for a mix of funk, blues, and spacy moods.
Oster’s horn is strong and confident, teaming up with saxist Jeff Taboloff on a hip “Serengeti” and thoughtfully moody “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Roberta Donnay brings in her Betty Boop’d voice to join the mix on a whimsical “Once In A Blue Moonlight” while some loops by vocalist Melissa Kaplan get things edgy during “Night Train to Sofia.” The rhythm team, lead by Manring’s elastic fretless bass, is rooted in R&B and is supple throughout. Not a bad night at all!