Santa Barbara City College’s Big Band Jazz stole the show with their outstanding performance at SOhO, Feb. 24

The doors opened at 6 p.m and the performance started at 7 p.m. As soon as they started playing their music, energy filled the room. You could hear the sound of each instrument playing and feel the excitement of the performance as the audience couldn’t take their eyes off the stage.

They performed lots of different songs. Some of those songs being “Rompin at the Rene”, “My One and Only Love”, “Ol’ Man River”, “Sunlight” and “My Favorite Things”, along with many more. Between each song, Directors Eric Heidner or Andrew Martinez would thank the audience and announce the next song.

The restaurant was packed with lots of people. After every song, the audience clapped and cheered.  You could tell the audience was excited and proud of the amazing performers on stage as their faces glowed with admiration and delight. Sometimes the crowd would even clap before a song was finished. 

No matter where you were in SOhO, you could always hear music playing. For those who couldn’t find a place to sit right by the stage, in the back of the restaurant, there were two flat screen TVs where you could watch the band play over a livestream.

The audience members thought the performers did an amazing job and shared what they enjoyed the most. 

“We think they’re amazing,” Jim Kearns, an audience member, said.“I thought in the first band they were really tight and I really liked the soloist in the second band.” 

There were a few audience members who also said they love to stay updated with the jazz band performers.

“I think they’re fabulous, we love to follow these kids around and see them develop and just continue,” Joanne Snyder, audience member said.

The performers enjoyed performing for the audience and feel the excitement from the audience gives them the motivation to play. It fuels their passion to deliver outstanding performances. It gives them joy to excite others with the music they make.

“I love seeing the audience getting hyped up over jazz performances,” Eric Martienez, a jazz band performer, said. I just love the overall vibe.”

“It’s one of the best parts about being a musician, seeing all your loved ones cheering you on and just getting to play cool stuff for people,” Daniela Garcia, another performer said.

Both Martinez and Herdner are very proud of their students’ hard work and love teaching jazz to anyone interested. Herdner said it’s very inspirational to see this generation continuing with this unique American art form. As soon as the last song came to an end, the audience burst with energy as they made their final applause.