Revered jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek arrived onto and departed from the Festival Theatre stage with his saxophones in their travel bags, leading one to wonder whether, notwithstanding the centred quality of his playing, he feels as though he is constantly in transit to somewhere else. Certainly, his long and productive career notably as a poster boy for ECM, with frequent touring, might suggest that this could be the case, and at 72 years of age Garbarek might be forgiven if he were to sometimes dream of retirement.

Tonight’s concert nevertheless was approaching two hours of, as anticipated, high quality jazz, Garbarek soaring especially when on the heftier, tenor instrument. Frequent space was made for his three band colleagues for duos and solos, the only niggle being that these were a little on the short side, presumably in acknowledgement of the generalist audience.

67 year old Indian- born Trilok Gurtu, last seen by this reviewer some 30 years ago, had lost none of his charisma, gently taking the audience by the hand from Western to Indian music then back again. With layers of rhythm via an augmented drum kit, Indian tablas, Konnakol, beaters made of colourful foam cylinders, and a bucket of water used to bend the sound of a beaten, immersed gong, Gurtu wore his tremendous skills lightly.

Another highlight of the evening was from Garbarek’s long-term collaborator, 69 year old German pianist Rainer Bruninghaus, whose solo foray through many jazz forms but particularly stride, was masterful. Otherwise his shifting from elegant harmonising, to Zoe Rahman-style classicism, to dips into modal playing were appreciated warmly by the large crowd.

Final band member was 53 year old Brazilian Yuri Daniel on bass guitar. Smiling broadly as he gave sound support, his own solo charged cheerily into funk, thus contributing to the smorgasbord of styles presented tonight.

For jazz, this was a safe and entertaining concert, ideal for a Garbarek audience, with the often quite difficult music made to look easy.