by Jerry Young, Music Critic, Austin American-Stateman

With all the ballyhoo about musical eclecticism, it's no small irony that the most eclectic concerts locally are given by the Austin Symphonic Band. It's a quiet eclectism that reminds me less of the self-conscious importing of exotic international influences and more of pop radio in the '60s when in any given hour you might hear Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, James Brown, and Johnny Mathis.

On its Tuesday night concert with Rhythm & Brass (brass quintet with percussionist), the Austin Symphonic Band, led by Richard Floyd, sounded mostly convincing in music from four centuries and several different jazz and classical styles.

The laconic style of Aaron Copland's "Outdoor Overture", which opened the concert, gives a band plenty of chances to hang itself, and at first the band didn't seem up to it. But things improved as the piece and the evening wore on.

Rhythm & Brass impressed throughout, showing virtuosity at every opportunity - collectively and individually. Tuba player Charles Villarrubia's awe-inspiring reading of Herbert L. Clarke's "Variations on Carnival of Venice", originally for cornet, conjured images of Dallas Cowboy Leon Lett skating with the finesse of Katarina Witt.

The big band's best showing came with James Curnow's cinemagraphic "Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew," in which the band played with heart and a surefooted finesse.

In the Duke Ellington set that ended the show, Rhythm & Brass found grooves the band was too heavily staffed to. But before it was all over, everybody got that swing, and the finale "Caravan" (with a drum solo) brought the house to its feet.