The Jazz Band goes solo -rws -jcr -dlh

This Friday night is full of a great choice of activities, such as the performance of this year’s opera, as well as a showing of “Supersize Me” by the Lawrence University Vegetarians and Vegans club. This writer, however, recommends attending the 8 p.m. performance of the Lawrence University Jazz Band.
The Jazz Band is eager to be on-stage again for its second solo concert showing of this year ******– the group’s last campus performance was at Jazz Weekend. The band will perform varied and enlightened repertoire under the direction of Professor Nick Keelan. The musical selections will span the realm of jazz, from the down-and-dirty “Groovin’ Hard,” made famous by the Buddy Rich band, to a big-band arrangement of Pat Metheny’s high energy “Minuano.” The band will also feature senior tenor-saxophonist Allison Davis on Bobby Troup’s “The Meaning of the Blues.”
The variety of pieces at the concert allows for all of the sections of the Jazz Band to shine at one point or another. Metheny’s “Minuano,” for example, exhibits a solid two-against-three feel for nearly the entire tune, presenting an interesting challenge for the six-piece rhythm section. “Minuano” is one of the only pieces the Jazz Band has performed which allows for all three percussionists to play concurrently, which, along with a pounding 3/4 bass-line, provides a thick texture of rhythm and sound. “Cherokee” ********– another rhythm section challenge due to its very fast tempo ********– also includes a trombone chorale at the beginning of the tune. The saxophone section is highlighted several times throughout the concert.
Friday night’s performance will also feature a member of the Lawrence Conservatory faculty, trumpet professor John Daniel, who will first play an arrangement of the furiously fast jazz standard “Cherokee.” Arranged with trumpet solo, he will be featured later with the rest of the trumpet section for Freddie Hubbard’s “Hub-Tones.” Hubbard’s piece is an eclectic splattering of brass with the rhythmic form of blues, and in addition to extensive trumpet solo sections, the piece will also include solos from each trumpet player, ending with several choruses by Daniel.
From behind the bassist’s stand in the Jazz Band, I can assure you that this Friday’s concert will be one you will not want to miss. The diverse quality of the musical selections, coupled with the energy the band is sure to emit, will produce a great night of jazz music.