Aaron Diehl at the Lincoln Theatre!

Is the music scene in Columbus, Ohio unbelievable or what?  Well it is!

Last Saturday evening I had the good fortune to hear Aaron Diehl and his trio at the Lincoln Theatre here in Columbus.  Mr. Diehl was honoring the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra.  As a former alumni of this amazing group, Aaron Diehl brought class and elegance to this wonderful celebration of 25 years of the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven with all of his selections.  He plays with great feeling, and of course incredible technique.  Aaron performed an amazing Philip Glass etude number 16.  It was beautiful.  Again a beautiful jazz rendition, but honestly he mentioned that he has played it at jazz vespers in NYC.  Is this guy the man or what?  I've heard around town that Aaron is described as the real Diehl, so so appropriate.

And digressing from the piano and Mr. Diehl, I must comment on his trio.  Lawrence Leathers, on drums.  Well first off, the man is from Lansing, Michigan.  As a Spartan, well what can I say but the man is unbelievable.  Very smooth, and full of surprises.  You have to be ready as there was one selection last night, where there was a long pause, and when Mr. Leathers jumped back in with very loud percussion, I almost jumped out of my seat seriously.  Job well done last night!

And Paul Sikivie, bassist, well I don't believe I have ever heard anyone become one with their instrument quite like Paul. It seemed like Mr. Sikivie was breathing as if he were attached to the bass.  It again reminds me of Yo-Yo Ma, the hallmark of his cello playing is oneness with the instrument.  Again, I have never seen anything like it.  So incredible, and such great control of such a large instrument.  Very fine playing last night and Paul Sikivie's facial expressions confirmed he was having a very good time.

The second half of the concert was music performed by the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra.  Amazing playing by so many talented high school students.  Aaron Diehl came back to the stage to perform Duke Ellington's Cottontail with the students.  I cannot imagine looking up from the drums like Rhys Washington did, and realize, "hey I'm playing with Aaron Diehl."  Quite amazing.

I am now convinced that Aaron Diehl and his trio have a long musical career ahead of them.  There is a class, and polish to Aaron Diehl, that seems a bit like that of a classical virtuoso.  That being said, with his Juilliard degree to back him up, he could probably return to the classical vein if he so desired.  But I am glad that he is playing jazz. He plays beyond all expectations, and you know that Aaron Diehl is aiming to surprise you every step of the way.

Absolutely beautiful music Saturday night.  Aaron Diehl -simply one more way the piano never stops surprising me!