The Express consists of three horn players: Mike Bryant trombonist, Gary Meggs tenor sax and Guido Richie on trumpet/flugelhorn. Meggs, longtime director of the University of Arkansas Monticello bands, took most of the solos, astonishing all with a maple-flavored tone that lifted and swung with every run. 

Guitarist, flutist, saxophonist and vocalist Jon Vanhouten also impressed, especially on “Hot Stuff” when he let loose with an arpeggiated extended guitar solo that evoked Christopher Cross on “Run Like the Wind” and Prince on “Joy in Repetition” (a deep cut on Graffiti Bridge well worth seeking out). His work on Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4" did the late Terry Kath a fine tribute.

As if that weren’t enough, members of the Hope High Jazz band joined them mid-show to improv on the jazz standard “C Jam Blues,” known to Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald fans as “Duke’s Place.”

After vocalist Bryant introduced all the musicians, audio engineer Jeff Bryant, also a trombonist himself, came to the mic and announced a fact that astonished everyone.  The vivacious and inventive singer Morgan Bryant, who with tremendous vocal and emotional range lent such character and life to about 90 minutes worth of jazz, pop, rock and soul, was his daughter and was a mere 15 years old.  Wow.

Among the tunes were “In the Mood,” “All That Jazz,” “Fever,” a standout for Morgan Bryant, “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Play That Funky Music, White Boy,” “I Wish,” and then the two Queen of Soul songs “Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” followed by a ripping version of Duffy’s “Mercy,” then “I Feel Good,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Hot Stuff.”

It had been nearly two years since the Delta Brass Express last visited Hope and this incarnation was every bit as engaging and virtuosic as the one that blew me away at Klipsch Auditorium in 2023. What wonders will they bring next time?

Above photo: Morgan Bryant, lead vocalist, performs with Delta Brass Express at Hempstead Hall Friday night.