Real Good for Free: Big Soul Ensemble @ Tess’ Lark Tavern, 12/1/09

Big band + small venue = powerhouse jazz.

Unless you’ve had the great pleasure of seeing it for yourself, you might have considerable difficulty imagining saxman Keith Pray‘s 17-piece Big Soul Ensemble performing in the intimate back room at Tess’ Lark Tavern in Albany.

But they do. Regularly. On the first Tuesday of each month. And the results are magnificent.

The sprawling band has just recently finished recording their debut live album at Tess’, so you can bet that the ensemble will be in tip-top shape and ready to roar at 9pm Tuesday (December 1).