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Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: News

JAMMIN' THE JAZZ: Members of the Trinity Jazz Ensemble swayed Laurie Auditorium with smooth saxaphones this past November.

When one wants to get away from the stresses of everyday life, one can often imagine themselves in an oasis filled with harmony and maybe a few beautiful women (or men) at their side, or what I like to call the "happy place".

When you think of your happy place, what do you think of? (Now close your eyes, take in a deep breath and whisk yourself away to that magical place). If you found yourself on a beach, with the sweet sounds of jazz music whispering softly into your ear, you're either in my head, or you have a great concept of an oasis.

Jazz music is the music that defies definition, the song that's never been sung, the cat's meow, or the dog's growl. It jumps, it jives, it stays alive in your soul. Jazz is a way to experience the art of improvisation, the art of creating something that has never been created, and never will be again. Sounds pretty incredible I know.

Lucky for you, San Antonio is filled with some vibrant jazz scenes that can turn your happy place into reality. Carmen's De La Calle, located at 720 E. Mistletoe, (right next to Flat's), off of N. St. Mary's. Carmen's offers a great jazz scene every Thursday night, filling a quaint room with triumphant sound and energy. Carmen's city-renowned tapas, authentic Mexican appetizers, are quite a delight, creating an atmosphere that is sure to leave you toe-tapping.

My favorite place is, however, the Landing, located on the Riverwalk level of the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown SA. The Landing features a swanky set-up, a lower level bar arrangement, with a cozy balcony up top for a bird's eye view. Your jazz experience is provided by none other than Jim Cullum's Jazz Band, a nationally recognized group of gentleman who play classic jazz standards to your heart's content, and balance it with a few licks of their own. The atmosphere alone is enough to keep you coming back for more, but the jazz is good, too (yes, that was a purposeful understatement).

One that I am particularly partial to is the Trinity Jazz Ensemble, performing at your home, Trinity University, and who takes up the jazz scene only a few times a semester, but, when they do, get down to business. Be sure to stay on the look-out for more information.

Jazz is an experience that opens the mind, clears the soul and soothes the body, creating an unstoppable combination of serenity and sensuality that can be had no other way. So next time you go to your happy place, go there with Jazz.

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