From Jeff Oster LIVE! at The Fenix in San Rafael, CA

“Last night I was privileged to attend one of the best concerts I’ve been to in a long time, perhaps ever! It was the album release event for trumpet/flugelhorn maestro Jeff Oster’s latest recording entitled “Next.”

Jeff was accompanied by an all-star group of musicians including fretless bassist extraordinaire Michael Manring (who also played on my own “Ambient Alchemy” album with Steven Halpern), well known new age guitarist Todd Boston, drummer Celso Alberti who has played with Steve Winwood among others, and keyboardist Frank Martin who has played with just about everybody including with Sting at Carnegie Hall!

The music ranged from ambient chill, to smooth jazz, to slamming funk that nearly tore the roof off The Fenix in San Rafael, CA. The two sets of Jeff’s original music also featured a very soulful instrumental cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Jeff Oster is not only an amazing horn player but a cool and charismatic front man who entertained the full house which included many friends from the SF Bay area music community (see tags) and even pianist Fiona Joy from Australia who was in town for a recording session.”