A party tried to break out at the Arlington last Friday when The Stone Foxes and Trombone Shorty came for a visit honoring Rotary’s global polio-eradication effort. But can you really party at the Arlington? The answer is sort of. San Francisco’s bluesy rock band The Stone Foxes played a head-banging set that got half the audience up and ready for action, leaving those who came for a jazzier experience seated in anticipation. “This is what rock was like in the ’70s,” exclaimed an audience member reveling in The Stone Foxes’ authentic sound.
Trombone Shorty took the audience on a 180-degree trip into the funk/jazz/hip-hop realm, encouraging the audience to dance as he played hits from his 2013 album Say This to Say That. Watching the band members shred on the saxophone, electric guitar, and, of course, the titular trombone was entertaining and the talent undeniable. The audience participation evoked by this performer made the Arlington a surprising venue, as you can’t dance your heart out to the spirit of New Orleans when you’re confined to the tight aisles. It would be interesting to see Shorty take a larger, more casual venue where you can let loose to the wild sound.