Vienna, VA--

Despite the fact that Brian Culbertson was the driving force behind much of Michael Lington’s early music it has in fact been eight years since they last shared a stage together. Consequently it was that much more special to find the two of them reunited for Culbertson’s at the Barns at Wolf Trap.

With the audience already warmed by Average White Band, a party was always likely and Culbertson, as ever, delivered with a performance of huge energy that was laced throughout with his own unique groove.

Mike Lington, in the line-up as Culbertson’s sax man, blended perfectly with Jim Culbertson on trumpet and when Brian occasionally joined them on trombone they together created a horn section that could have come right out of Memphis. Instead it was Culbertson and Lington set the tone as Culbertson generously shared the spotlight with his long time friend.

Like every show that Brian Culbertson ever does it flashed past in a joyous and frenetic blur of stand out tracks. They came from all over a discography that began back in 1994 with ‘Long Night Out’ and although the big radio hit ‘Lets Get Started’ sent out a message to the audience, they needed no invitation to start dancing.

Culbertson’s version of the Quincy Jones smash ‘The Secret Garden’ which he made the center piece of his 1999 release ‘Somethin Bout Love’ was a highlight of the entire show and when it was Coles turn to move center stage he provided a knockout rendition of his big radio hit ‘Thursday’ and an even better delivery of ‘Curtis’ from his current CD, ‘True’.

This track is Culbertson’s homage to the great Curtis Mayfield yet the soul roots of smooth jazz proved to be even closer as Culbertson announced that sharing the stage with him for the summer tour was Sheldon Reynolds. A guitarist with Earth Wind and Fire for fifteen years and before that with the Commodores, Reynolds was the creator of the 2005 album ‘Devoted Spirits – A Tribute To Earth Wind and Fire’.

In true Culbertson style he fashioned space within the set for Reynolds to lead the band in a superb medley of EW & F hits that included ‘Shining Star’ and ‘September’.

With Kenny Miller providing keyboards, Hammond B3 and additional vocals Culbertson’s line-up was all set to check every box of soulful smooth jazz and this they continued to do until the lengthening shadows signaled the end of a late afternoon of breathtaking music that had started over two hours ago with the Average White Band.

Brian Culbertson is one of the most inventive and entertaining live performers around today.