The Elligers Brothers, a very new band, started in winter of 2011, got the crowd and Best Video shaking their heads and tapping their feet for an hour and a half. They played an impressive one set show featuring originals and covers of jazz standards such as "Take the A Train" and "Sunny Side of the Street" which opened the show. There was little amplification and everyone listened closely to every note. For Erik Elligers, the frontman of the band, this was his third appearance at the Best Video performance space. He had previously played a show with
Goodnight Blue Moon. Erik played tenor sax, his brother Kyle played on his Yamaha MO8 keyboard, and his other brother Sean played trumpet. Carl Testa played on the upright bass.
The set was soft and my rowdy friends were a challenge at some point. The venue was incredibly intimate. The band had a conversation with the audience without any mics.
The Elligers Brothers probably brought out about 25 people. Many who I had recognized from previous shows at Best Video. They were surrounded by 1000s of movies as they played their smooth jazz. They are playing in New Haven on May 19 and not only was this show free, but it was a superb band. For such a new project they had a tight sound.
