Expanding on their successful 2018 residency in Santa Barbara schools, the New Orleans saxophonist Derek Douget and his jazz quintet came to Santa Barbara March 11th to 15th for another super cool and swinging spate of educational and musical magic. I had the pleasure of following them from Dos Pueblos High School to Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara High, Santa Ynez Valley High and San Marcos High. Derek, Ashlin Parker (trumpet), Victor Atkins III (piano), Jason Stewart (bass) and Joe Dyson (drums) are all highly respected educators and the way they observed, interacted, encouraged and advised the students during these workshops was so good to watch, while listening to music that I love was a real treat! The intense five days finished off with a sizzling performance at the Lobero, which began with a couple of numbers by Professor Jon Nathan and members of the UCSB Jazz Ensemble followed by two sets by Derek and bandmates, all filled with straight-ahead jazz of the highest caliber. At the end, trumpeter Sergio Rodrigueaz & guitarist Seku Fujino-Harmachis, who appeared with Derek and group last year as members of the Jazz Villains, as well as the UCSB group sat in for a rousing finish to a wonderful week of music making and learning that was more sustained, stimulating and satisfying than any I’ve observed in over 20 years of covering this sort of thing. All generously supported by the by the Lobero Theatre Brubeck Circle and the Bentson Kauth Family.
