Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Life kept leaning closer to regular at Ravinia when dedicated aficionados and lawn listeners alike flocked to the hallowed Highland Park venue for the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra and star saxophone player Branford Marsalis.

Normally performing at the venue of the same name in New York City and led by the featured soloist’s brother Wynton Marsalis, who just collectively released “The Democracy! Suite,” this touring edition gave the Windy City a satisfying bite of the Big Apple.

Of course, Louisiana-native Branford Marsalis is no stranger to many, regardless of their geography, thanks to notable work alongside Wynton, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Sting, Harry Connick Jr., Grateful Dead, James Taylor and so many more, being longtime bandleader for “The Tonight Show” and spearheading his own quartet, most recently heard on 2019’s “The Secret Between The Shadow And The Soul.”

Along with the elite orchestra, who always executed even the most complicated arrangements effortlessly, this 90-minute performance played out like a masterclass that paid tribute to those who paved the way, showcased current members’ strengths, while always remaining open to adventurous interpretations and improvisations.

“Freedom Suite,” by the seminal Sonny Rollins, kicked off the festivities with all of its extended intricacies, followed by a spicy trip to the Crescent City come veteran member Victor Goines’ composition “Dance At The Mardi Gras Ball,” a theme that would reemerge throughout his fellow original “Down By The Bayou.”

In between, JLCO and Marsalis dove confidently into John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” which is unequivocally as classic as jazz gets and widely considered one of the greatest general albums ever, putting their signature flourishes on “Acknowledgement,” “Resolution” and “Pursuance.”

An encore was certainly in order and the troupe eagerly returned for “Mississippi Mud Shuffle,” sending out this textbook Ravinia evening under the stars out with thousands of swinging smiles and a much-deserved standing ovation.

For additional information on the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra and Branford Marsalis, visit Jazz.org/JLCO and BranfordMarsalis.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Brian McKnight (Jul. 30); Yacht Rock Revue (Jul. 31); Michael Feinstein and Betty Buckley (Aug. 1); Brett Dennen (Aug. 4); Judy Collins and Madeleine Peyroux (Aug. 10); Willie Nelson & Family (Aug. 14); Gladys Knight (Aug. 18); Counting Crows (Aug. 19); The Infamous Stringdusters and Leftover Salmon (Aug. 20); The Beach Boys (Aug. 21-22); John Hiatt & The Jerry Douglas Band (Aug. 24); Marie Osmond (Aug. 25); Lake Street Dive (Aug. 26); Train and Vertical Horizon (Aug. 27-28) and King Crimson (Aug. 29). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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